IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


1.25 


1^121    121 

U  1^    112.2 

u 


lit 


14.0 


6" 


Fhotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


'^""^J^'  ^ 
^\j^^^ 

^^^ 


n  WIST  MAIN  STRliT 

VVnSTIR,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  t72-4S03 


'^ 


r 

O 


% 


CIHM/ICMH 


Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microraproduction*  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Tschnical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thla 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  baiow. 


□    Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I — I    Covara  damagad/ 


D 


D 


D 

n 


□ 


n 


Couvartura  andommagAa 


Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  pallicuMa 


I      I    Covar  titia  miaaing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


□   Colourad  mapa/ 
Cartas  gAographiquas  an  coulaur 


Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Colourad  platas  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  9n  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
RaliA  avac  d'autraa  documants 

Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  re  liura  sarrie  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatortion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  poaaibia,  thasa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  aa  paut  qua  cartainas  pagaa  blanchas  ajoutias 
lors  d'una  rastauration  apparaissent  dana  la  taxta, 
mais.  lorsqua  cala  6tait  poaaibla.  caa  pagaa  n'ont 
pas  4t6  f ilmAas. 

Additional  commants:/ 
Commantalras  supplimentaires: 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm^  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'll  lui  a  4t*  poaaibla  da  aa  procurer.  Laa  details 
da  eat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniquaa  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvant  modifier 
una  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  m6thoda  normala  da  filmage 
sont  indiqute  ci-dessous. 


I     I   Coloured  pagaa/ 


D 


Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damaged/ 
Pagaa  endommag6es 


0Pagas  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  reataurtes  at/ou  pelllculAes 

0    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcolortos.  tachet6es  ou  piqu( 


Pages  dAcolortos.  tachet6es  ou  piquAes 

Pages 

Pages  d^tachtes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualit^  in6gale  de  rimpression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mantaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


I     I  Pages  detached/ 

Fyl  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


Tha 
toti 


Tha 
poai 
of  tl 
fllml 


Orig 
bag! 
the  I 
sion 
othfl 
first 
sion 
or  ill 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuiilet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmies  d  nouveau  de  fapon  it 
obtenir  la  mailleure  image  possible. 


The 
shal 
TINI 
whli 

Map 
difft 
antii 
begl 
righ 
reqi 
met 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-deaaous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

V 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

'^Wi^f4 


■ill 

du 

difier 
une 
rtaga 


Th«  copy  filmad  iMr*  has  b—n  r«produc«d  thank* 
to  tho  ganoroaity  of: 

Library  of  tha  Public 
Archivas  of  Canada 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  boat  quality 
poaaibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  laglbllity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  apacif Icatlona. 


L'axamplaira  film4  f ut  raproduit  grAca  i  la 
gAn^roait*  da: 

La  bibliothAqua  daa  Archivaa 
publiquaa  du  Canada 

Laa  imagaa  auivantaa  ont  4t4  raproduitaa  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattatA  da  l'axamplaira  film*,  at  an 
conformity  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  wKh  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa* 
sion,  and  anding  on  tha  iaat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  impraaaion. 


Laa  axamplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  aat  ImprimAa  sont  fiimAs  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlira  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Tous  las  autras  axamplairas 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 


Tha  last  recordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  -^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  ▼  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  applias. 


Un  daa  aymboloa  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  salon  la 
cas:  la  symbola  -^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE",  la 
aymbola  V  signifia  "FIN". 


Maps,  platas.  charta.  ate,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratios.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  in  ona  axpoaura  ara  filmad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  cornar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  framas  as 
requirad.  The  following  diagrams  iilustrata  tha 
mathod: 


Las  cartas,  planchas,  tableaux,  ate,  pauvant  itra 
filmto  A  das  taux  da  reduction  diff Arants. 
Lorsqua  la  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  an  un  saul  clich*.  il  ast  film*  A  partir 
da  I'angia  supAriaur  gaucha.  da  gaucha  A  droita, 
at  da  haut  an  bas,  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'imagas  n^cassaira.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrant  la  mAthoda. 


rata 

0 


»elure. 


1  2  3 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

*' 


>/ 


/^ 


/ 


■'^ 


^- 


% 


I       1i 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 

Difcovery  of  America^ 


^V' 


-^ 


m 


1}  ir 


■5.i..'*if.  .mz 


Tfr. 


^^ 


.¥: 


:m 


m-:y 


f'i-'M 


;?/'   ■■'., 


■^•^i*.,.^*^: 


'ir'  '**^' 


#^'«r 


W^^f^-v^Zi 


iim 


.\i:.r: 


».>»«.• 


'"'i^>' 


vir^v 


A/'%^ 


■*•!■ 


^^ 


K^'; 


/I 


H  I 


^ 


AHD  or 


Ungagi 


W 


I] 


From  thtir  firs 


01 
TO  WBICH 

Br  THE  IND 


By  the  Rev 


"  My  Coantryme 

for  the  benefit  oj 

they  should  be  r 


1 

friBted  by  GRAl 

(With 


.   ^ 


t    V 


HISTORY 

•If 
OF  THE  - 

.^'         Difciwery  of  America^ 

OF  THE     • 

Lafidwg  of  our  Forefathersp    % 

i. 

■  AT  PLYMOUTH, 

AMD  OP  THBII  MOST  tlMAIl^ABLK 

Ef^agemenfs  tvhh  the  Ifu&nti^ 

\\        '  IM  NEWENGLANO, 

From  thtir  first  landing;  in  1630,  until  the  final  lubjuga* 
tion  of  the  Natives  in  16m9. 

•  TO  WHICH  IS  ANNEZBD,  THE  DEFEAT  OF 

Genptals  BraMck,  Harmer  Sc  SuQair^ 

Br  THE  INDIANS  at  tie  WESTWARD,  kc. 

By  the  Rev.  JAMES  STEfTARD,  D.  D. 

"  Mf  Countrymen— TAm*  things  ought  not  to  ie/argottgttt 
for  tht  benefit  of  §ur  Children,  end  thtse  tkatfotloto  them, 
they  should  be  recorded  in  Histerj,**  Dr.  Franklin. 

BROOKLYN,  (L.  10 
friBted  by  GRANT  tf  WELLS,  for  J.  W,  CAREW.  4^"  %*?/;' 
(With  Priviledge  of  Copy  .Right.)  ^    \i;Vv;:r: 


^m- 


^4 


m 


i 


•I" 


MS 

St 


1 


W 


'■  i 


f^ 

• 

.■■■*■-■' 

1 

* 

I  ■  ■ 

' 

t 

.^,  »^ . 


**    ♦', 


T- 


"■^' 


4-f 


,■;  »T 


^      U, 


6         *  * 


•«fm; 


•,H.  VV 


.  I.       I 


•I 


V"!''        tl* 


tjf     1- 


t?  ^^  .^ 


'     f '*!       ■.,"?',',      *         « 


'>'        *. 


,,>     ,f<      •     ~*     , 


'\ 


?;?rr6 


< 


'n  -Js"' 

■ 

#>»r'-- 

• 

^■t.-    ; 

i  .:,„ 

P    R    E     F    A    C    1. 


r" 


'',--  1  HE  principal  objccl  of  the  Author  of  tht 
proceeding  woik,  it  to  commemorate  (Tor  ibe  b^iitdiof 
Ihe  present  and  tuccecding  generationi)  the  no!»!e  deed*, 
and  jpri»iie-W(,riIiy  exploits, of  ihtir  pktrioMc  Forefathers—. 
who,  diiven  bjr  pertecution  from  their  native  lar.d,  cros- 
eed  a  wide  and  boisleiou%  ocean^  aought  a  new  country, 
and  prepared  it  for  the  httppy  abode  of  ihtirofr>prin}j. 

Let  u 9  for  a   moment,  coittcmpla'c   the  bitu«tiun  tf 

this  country  at  that  period— what   was  it    then  !— an  al> 

most  impenetrable  forest,  abounding  with  Savages   and 

•tlea&ts  cf  p!ey  !— ibe  fa't   ifccs  that   grew  up  to   tho 

clouds,  were  so  encumbered  with  plants  that  tt.ey  couM 

•carcxiy  be  got  at—the  wild  btrasis   made   tho^e  wocds 

"Still  more  inaccessible — the  human  race,   cloathed  with 

f.  Ihe  skint  of  those  monsters,  fltd  from  each  other,   ir 

^    pursued  only  with  intent  to  des!roy~>ihe  earth  seemed 

useless  to  man,  and  its  powers  were  not  exered  so  muc.i 

for  hi«  support,  as  in  the  brctciing  of  animals,  more  obr< 

dient  to  the  Ijws  tf  oature— <he  eardi   prodnccd  every 

thing  ut  pleasure,  without  assistance,  and  without  clirec* 

lion  i  it  yielded  <ill  its  bouniie!)  with  uncontrolled  ptofu- 

sion  for  the  bettttit  of  all— >ihe  rivers  now  glided  frctly 

through  the  forests,  now  ipie.\d  themselves  >;  ;c:ly  in  a 

wide  mira:s;  from   her.cc  issuing  in   vaiioi:s   stieams, 

they  formed  a  m«!titud«  cf  i  lands,  encoirp.ts:ecl   with 

their  channels^the  spring  w.  s  rcitored  fro:ii  ihir  ipuits 

of  autumn— the  leaves  dried  and    rotud  at    lun  foit  of 

trees,  supplied  thrm  with  Iresli    sap  to  cn^bi.-    them  tu 

thcoi  out  new  blossoms— ibc  hollo Y  trurks  of  trcjj  af- 


• 


:> 


Ifl 


i 


f  1 
m 

4 


m 


f~' 

-;T       ■ 

1 

-■-     "—'"        -.% 

;-'■ 

'?;'. 

'rS 


^S-<EC.-^ 


,1 


I 


I  i 


ir. 


PREFACE. 


forded  a  rttrett  to  prodigiook  flights  of  birdf— th«  Mfti 
dashing  againit  the  coattt,  and  indenting  the  gulpb*t 
threw  up  thoaU  of  amphibious  moniteri,  enormous 
whalesf  turtleti  >cc.  that  sported  uncoiitrol'ed  on  ibo 
desert  shores->here  nature  exerted  her  plastic  poweri 
incessantif  prodocing  the  gigantic  inhabi:ants  of  tht 
ocean  and  aiserting  the  freedom  cf  the  earth  and  the  ^  . 
sea  ! 

Such  was  the  situation  of  New  Engfand,  when  first  vii* 
itedbjr  our  fou/athers-^tht  many  difficulties  with  which 
they  had  to  contend,  before  a  peaceable  settlement  could 
be  effected,  must  be  apparent  to  all— not  only  was  the 
country  overspread  with  thick  woods,  but  the  caprices 
ot  a  stnaji*  raet  were  to  be  soothed— their  jealousies  of 
■ew  settlers  to  be  removed,  or  their  power  lo  be  opposed  ; 
and  when  all  these  difficulties  should  be  surmounted,  the 
colunists  must  continue  subject  t#the  first  condemnatorjr 
sentence  denounced  on  the  human  race,  "  ip  tht  twtat 
of  their  how  lo  eat  their  ^rMi."— But,  our  Forefathara 
landed,  and  very  soon  changed  the  face  oi  Nevt  England-^ 
they  destroyed  or  dispersed  a  horde  of  fierce  and  blood 
thirsty  ^aM/ex— they  introductd   symmetry  by  the  aa- 
sisiance  of  ail  the  instruments  of  art— the  impdhetrable 
.woods  were  cleared,  and  made  room  for  commodious 
habitations— the  wild  beasts  were  driven  away  and  flocks 
of  domestic  animals  supplied  their  place;  whilst  thorns 
and  briars  made  way  for  rich  harvests— the  water  for- 
sock  part  of  their  domaioi  and  were  drained  off  into  the 
mterior  parts  oi  the  land,  or  into  the  sea,  by  deep  «a- 
nals— the  eoasts  were  covered  with  towns,  and  the  bays 
with  ships— and  thus  the  new  world  like  the  old  became 
subject   to    man.— My    CouNTavustf    oucht    these 

THINSS  TO  SB  VORCOTTSN  !    ARK  THHY  NOT  WOaTHT  OF 
HBCOSD  ! 

Ancient  and  modern  liistory  ot  Foreign  countries;  ant) 


•*-- 


v^ 


PREFACE. 


V. 


•f  Ihe  most  rcmirkablt  efentt  that  haye  aUcnded  tiicnif 
«ra  dailf  iaauing  from  American   pretsea,  and  art  not 
vnircqucnUf  recommended  to  (he  Amerkan  publie,  aa 
worthjr  their  rooit  attentive  pcrutal— but,  permit  ut  to 
cnquiret  can  each  publicationa  be  half  ho  interesting,  to 
valuiblo  to  Americatu,  •»  a  volume  in  which  is  correctif 
delineated  the  noble  atchievements  of  their  Paihets  .'-—a 
correct  History  of  the  Diuo^erj,  StttUment  and  Progress 
of  their  own  country  !— Shall  all  knowledge  of  those  re- 
markable events  which  have  attended  them,  so  ailini- 
portaat  to  Amaricansi  be  lost  in  a  thirst  ioT  foreign  His- 
tory of  ancient  Rome,   Carthage^  &c.  ?— Shall  the   suc- 
CMding  generation  be  suffered  to  arise  and  search  in  vain 
for  a  volume  of  so  inestimable  worth !  a  volume  con- 
taining  «hose  important  facts  relutive  to  the  disctmerj  and 
settlement  of  m  eounttf  whieh  gne  them  iirth  f 

American  Geographei^  have  Itivcn  aome  imperfect 
aketchea  of  the  discovery  and   early  aettlement  of  tbe 
country,  bat  the  proccedmg  work  will  be  found  to  cm- 
brace  every  important  particular  relative  thereto.—The 
particulars  ot  the  many  severe  and  bloody  engagements 
.  with  the  savages,  are  penned  from  facts  and  oJlcM  docU' 
«ffll«i  and  in  auoh  manner  as  is  ealcuiated  to  coi>vey  to 
the  mind  of  the  reader  such  ideas  as  will  enable  him  tw 
'    form  a  true  and  accurate  conception  of  every  important 
incident  relative  thereto*  ■> 


'f!H^ 

'•-_   1                                   f  .  *1v»    .  '  "*  ',')„■'  ■ 

f  'v' 

..  -     '  -  -  '■■>-~'      '-:•     " 

,,  -    . 

,,^vi                .    1  ■"''»'      ■ 

''■;* 

V,.         :,;■   .1  ;^ ',;*»,-,.>,  ■••^v- 

■i-i  •■'  •  ■   i^      f  ■■'    •  '  •  -:' 

:^'h    i-v«>'  f   '■■    :•',    v^  ►-.r'    ■^'■■ 

,' 

■   ■     ,:  >^  v./'"  t,  ;•"•-'■'■    :f;\,. 

••  •.» 

;.     %    v^.O'    ^V'^vv.,,,,^ 

-  *  -■ 

.*;  .■f..>^,                          r-  .'■>;,.. 

•  f 


■<^.. 


I  '  ■>.' 


'  ? 


•««-:  at 


:«f.  ■. 


Li 
1 


i^'*fe,2"*-i'^''l--i'i»v.4.*.lifcS«twii«.. 


I^.-S»w- 


-?^'       J     ■'^^^ 


>■•■■    :  ^:,.w;-Vt 


is$r:  H 


«•>■.■'-  '^ 


it: 


'     ;«*! 


\ 


A!^-    •.»■    li^'  :••        .,   H 


>  ^ 


■^sl.''it . 


♦  ■■   'fiij>j».».«^ij-i       ■y-C-/":i'?V' 


•J-jX^ 


i^  ;   '*■;&. 


<  » 


■*t 


t'-H-'  ,i  -ij ' 


iiO^  j,v    "^u;.; 


fl"vi''H* 


■*:.?t 


r^fc'  '•■'*■: 


d*fet-t'i 


;i  <'';:5., 


':^  V' '  % 


>■■.•.».. 


ii,.'^/jb-;^ 


JVV  *^- 


it- 


-,f-    '■■  - 


<JHAP.  I. 


,v-# 


DISCOVERT  OF  AMERICA, 

BT 

CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS. 


iVlANKIND  owe  the  discovery  of  the  western  world 
tog^  gold,'  ^^hilver,  the  precious  stones,  the  spices, 
sipiyind  coHI^  manufactures  of  the  East ;  and  evc*^ 
tt^se  in^ntives  were  for  a  considerable  time,  insufficient 
to  MHipl  (o  the  undA-:aking,  althou{;h  the  most  skilful 
miMri^or  of  the  age  proflered  to  risk  his  life  in  the  at- 
tempt.        ,       ^    4' 

Chbistopser  COLVxiui,  who  was  destined  to  the 
high  honour  of  revealing  a  new  hemisphere  to  Europe- 
ans, Ivas  by  birth  a  Genoese,  who  had  been  early  train- 
ed to  a  Ecafafing  life,  and,  having  acquired  every  branch 
of  knowledge  connepied  with  that  profeksion,  was  no  lesa 
distinguishrd  by  his  skill  and  abilities,  than  for  his  intre- 
pid and  persevering  spirit.— This  man,  when  about  for- 
ty years  of  age,  had  formed  the  great  idea  of  reaching 
the  East-Indies  by  sailing  westward  ;  but,  as  his  fortune 
was  very  small,  and  the  attempt  required  very  effectual 
patronage,  desirous  that  his  native  couutry  should  profit 
by  his  success,  he  laid  his  plan  befr>re  the  senate  of  Ge- 
noa, but  the  scheme  appearing  chimerical,  it  was  reject- 
ed.—'He  then  repaired  to  the  court  ot  Portugal ;  and  al- 
though the  Portuguese  were  at  that  time  distinguished 
for  their  commercial  spirit,  and  Jobm  II.  who  then  reign, 
ed.  was  a  discerning  and  enterprising  prince,  yet  the 
prtpokMisions  of  the  great  men  in  hit  court)  to  whow 


::;:!: 


'ic' 


.; 


— t— 


M 


the  matter  Tvas  referred,  caused  Colvmbvs  flnallj  to  fail 
in  his  attempt  there  aho.  He  next  applied  to  Fxbdi* 
MAND  and  IsABKinA,  king  and  quetn  of  Arragon  and 
Castile,  and  at  the  same  time  sent  his  brother  Barthol- 
omew (who  followed  the  aamc  profession;  and  who  was 
wtl!  qualified  to  fill  the  immediate  place  tinder  such  a 
leader)  to  England,  to  lay  the  proposal  before  Hknrt 
VII.  which  likewise,  very  fartunaiely  for  the  future  well 
being  ol  the  country,  met  with  no  success.— Many  were 
the  years  which  Christopher  Columbos  spent  in  inef- 
fectual attendance  at  the  CastiUiftn  court ;  the  impover- 
ished state  into  which  the  finances  of  t^L  VI 
doms  were  reduced,  the  wp*  with^Gr|Ba, 
every  disposition  to  attempt  ^>  gCC«(,^M|| 
war  being  at  length  terminate*  ^Ik^poverful'j 
BELLA  broke  through  all  obttaeles  ;  she  dej 
the  patroness  of  Columbus,  ^^I^Jjcr  husband  MBDi- 
NANS,  declining  to  partake  tqr  aj^wpnturviiJn  4be  voy-^ 
age,  only  gave  it  the  sanctioi*»oW«s  name.  Thvr.clid  the 
superior  genius  of  a  woman  effect  the  discovery  of  one 
half  the  Globe !  ^  . 

The  ships  sent  on  this  iraportanflpfearch  were  dlily 
three  in  number,  two  of  them  very  small :  they  had  nine* 
ty  men  on  board>  Although  the  expence  of  the  expedi* 
tion  had  long  remained  the  sole  obstacle  to  Us  being  un« 
dertaken,  yet,  when  every  thing  was  provided,  the  cast 
did  not  amount  to  more  than  17,760  dollars,  and  there 
were  twelve  months  provision  put  on  board. 

Columbus  set  sail  from  port  Pales,  in  the  province  of 
Andalusia,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1493 :  he  proceeded  to 
the  Canary  Islands,  and  frr  n  thence  directed  his  course 
due  W.  in  the  latitude  of  about  S8  N.— In  this  course  he 
contmued  for  two  months,  without  falling  in  with  any 
land,  which  caused  such  a  spirit  of  disconteit  and  muti- 
ny t*  arise  as  the  superior  Address  and  minagement  •t 


^#- 


di*  iktanmiBder  h»iutiiii  UkieqUil  t6  ii^Hih  althoiiitk 
for  these  qualities  be  #as  emiheBtlf  disHnguIkhcd.— H« 
was  at  length  reduced  to  the  oecessit  j  of  entering  into  a 
solemn  engagement  to  abandon  the  enterpriifee  and  return 
hornet  if  land  did  not  appear  in  three  da  js.'— Probably  lie 
would  not  have  been  abl^  to  retain  fiis  people  to*^  long; 
from  acts  of  violence  and  outrage,  in  pursuing  »o  untried 
and  dreary  a  course,  bad  tbey  tot  been  sensible  that  their 
safety  in  returning  ^oMe,  depended  very  ttiith  OQ  his 
Ikiir  jii  a  navigator,  in  conducting  the  vessel*  *^^''*^^^'-^^'^ 
\h  the  appearatice  of  Tand  changed  tHierr  des- 
most  exbliihg  raptur^>— It  was  an  island 
ilphabilahts,  both  sexes  of  which  «ercf 
rs  kind,  gentle,  and  unsuspect- 
Salvador :  it  is  otic  of  the 
atne  6f  Bahamia';  it  was 
island  of  Gonnora',  one  ol 
ik  his  ^eptfrture.    This 
^^^^^       ih  tK*  ot)1hi6n  wHicV  h^ 
<4lf4MHKeS'  b^oi^K^MMfftook  the  voj^ge,  (hat  he'be- 
ithseir  jhVif  W  be  Ol!  an  isbnd  #hfch  wa'S  situated 
b  the  Inicfi^—^otieding  to  the'S.  he  s'aW  (Kree 
nds,  wfikh  he  nuititd  St.  Mary^ol  theConcep> 
thin,  Ferdinand,  and  Istibella'.— At  length  he  aVrived  at  it 
ir«^Iar^'iillat)di-ati'd  m  ho  had  taken  s^ven  of  the  nsf^ 
thrifs'of  Stti  Safiadbr  on  board,  he  leariltd'ffoffi  ihtith  it 
^ii>i  cknedK:ubaV  but  he  gteve  it  tho  iiilait  of  Judtiha.'^ 
rie  neitt  prbieed^^  to  an  isla'nd  i^ith  he  called  Cspagf- 
mtii  ih  hOhiot  of  the  leiAgdom  by  which  h6  nhn  ethplo/. 
^aV  and  it  still  dt^fs  the  nattie  of  Hi^pattiola.— Hiere  he 
buflt  «  fbrt  and  foVttitd^  i^  smalt  settlefitot ;  he  then  r«t. 
turned  hO'iiftf,  havirtgHih  board  some  of  the  nitiivies,  whoih 
h«*hSid^tidctt)froiA  th^  different  islands  ;  steeHnga  niorfc 
s6iirherti  cbtirse,  he  fell  ifl  With  soma  of  the  Cai^ib^e 
isTands,  and  arnved-at  the  Port  of  Palo*  on  thi^  15th  of 


B 


0 


i 

"  ^  w 


•*• 


!1» 


S 


Ifarcbi   14fS|  having  been  leven  monlhi  and  ete^ctf 
dayt  on  tbb  mux  impctant  vojrage.  ',1 

On  liis.arrWal  letter*  patent  were  issued  by  the  king 
and  qoacn  confirming  to  CoLVHaus  and  to  hit  heir«  alt 
the  privileges  contained  in  a  capitulation  which  had  been 
tscctttcd  before  his  departure!  and  his  family  was  enno- 
bled, i 

Not  onlf  the  Spaniards,  but  the  other  nations  oi  Eu- 
rope, seenn  to  have  sdopted  the  opinion  of  CoLUMStrs,  in 
considering  thtf  countries  which  he  had  cli^coveredi  as  a 
part  of  India.— Whence  Firbinan»  and  Isabella  gave 
them  the  name  *'  Indies"  in  the  ratification 
mer  agreement  with  Colvmbus.*— Evcj 
was  detected,  the  name  was  retainej 
of  *'  Wcst'Indies"  is  now 
countrjr,  and  that  of  Indii 

Nothing  could  possibly 
every  active  principle  in 
riea  which  Col vm bus  hsc 
lost,  nor  expence  spaied, 

with  which  this  great  man  should  revisit  the  cc 
he  had  made  known.— ^Seventeen  snips  were 
in  six  nynths,  and  fiftcttn  hundred  persons  embHlkt 
board  them,  anKng  whom  were  many  of  noble  families* 
and  who  had  filled  honorable  stations.— These  engaged 
in  the  enterprize  from  the  expectation  that  t|p  new  dia* 
covered  country  was  either  the  Cipango  of  Marco  Paulo* 
or  the  Ophir  from  which  Solomom  obtained  his  gold 
and  precious  ii»erchandize.  FaaMNANO,  now  desiroua 
of  eecuring  what  he  had  before  been  unwilling  to  venture 
ibr  the  obtaining,  applied  to  the  Pope  to  be  invested  with 
a  right  in  these  new  disovttred  countries,  as  well  as  to 
all  future  discoveries  in  that  direction ;  but  as  it  was  ne« 
cessary  that  there  ahould  be  aome  favor  of  religion  in  the 
buaiaesBy  he  founded  his  plea  on  adeaire  et  converiiag 


>v  <."V 


-)«- 


«. 


MiuVange  patWei  to  t^e  Romish  faith,  which  pita  hail 
It!  deiired  efflert. 

Albxam DER  Vr.  who  then  filled  the  papal  chair,  it 
•aght  to  be  mentioned,  was  the  most  profligate  and  tbin- 
doned  of  men  t  being  a  native  of  Arragon,  and  desiroat 
of  conciliating  the  favor  of  Fikdimand,  for  the  purpose 
bf  aggrandising  his  family,  he  readiljr  granted  a  re^ucat, 
which,  at  no  ezpence  or  risk,  tended  to  extend  the  con< 
acqucnce  and  ainhoriiy  of  the  papacy  t  he  therefore  be* 
stowed  on  Fkrdinand  and  Isasklla,  <*  all  the  conn* 
fries  inhabited  by  infidels,  which  they  bad  discovered,** 
btit  as.it  was  necessary  to  prevent  this  grant  from  inter* 
feiiogAiUi  ^one  not  long  before  made  to  the  crown  of 
i^cn^pil,  iMi'l^pjtinted  that  a  line  supposed  to  be  drawn 
n^lojMlQ  one  hundred  leagues  to  the  westward 
Pahould  serve  as  a  limit  between  them  ;  and 
10  tflHVatitide  of  ||!i«  ^wer,  conferred  all  to  the  east 
of  t^u^maginary  l^^^pa  the  Portuguese,  and  all  to 
the  ^|at  of  it  upon  im$  ^j^niardv. 

CoJLUMivs  set  sairon*iis  voyage  from  the  port  ol  Ca- 
4\t,  on  the  SSih  of  September)  1493  ;  when  he  arrived 
Ht^dt.  Espagniola,  he  had  the  affliction  to  find  that  all  the 
Spaniards  whom  he  had  left  there,  amounting  to  thirty- 
six  in  number,  had  been  put  to  death  by  the  ntmves,  in 
revenge  for  the  insults  and  outrages  which  they  had  com- 
mitted.-«-^fter  having  traced  out  the  plan  of  a  town  in  a 
large  plain,  near  a  spacious  bay,  and  given  it  the  name 
of  IsABXLLA,  in  honor  of  his  patroness  the  queen  of  Cas- 
tile, and  appointed  his  brother  Don  Diego,  to  preside 
as  Deputy  Governor  in  his  absence,  Columbus,  on  the 
94th  of  April,  1794,  sailed  witli  one  ship  and  two  small 
barks,  to  make  farther  di»«coveries  in  those  seas.— In 
this  voyage  he  wan  employed  five  months,  and  fell  in 
with  many  small  islandti  on  (he  coast  of  Cuba,  bui  with 
none  of  any  importance  except  the  i:»land  of  Jdmaica. 


V  -,  i 


III 


:U 


•  m 


\i 


■**i 


if  ? 


..A" 


i! 

V  It  i 


\  ; 


-If- 


m. 


I 


Soon  A&er  ))is  return  to  HitpanioUi  he  retolred  to 
inake  war  with  the  Indians,  who  according  to  the  Span- 
iah  histpriaqt,  aoiounted  to  100,000  men;  tbeie  having 
C)(p«ricnced  fvery  lawless  act  of  violence  from  their  ior 
^adersi  were  rei|dered  eytremelf  inveterate,  and  thirsted 
(or  r^yengai  ^  ,diipo9ition  which  appears  to  have  been 
fereigp  from  their  natures.-i-HaTing  collected  his  full 
force,  be  attacked  them  by  night,  whilst  they  were  as- 
sembled in  ft  wide  plain,  and  obtained  a  most  decisive 
fictory,  without  the  loss  of  one  man  on  his  part*— >Be- 
ude  the  effect  of  cannon  and  fire  arms,  the  noise  of 
which  was  appalling,  and  their  effect  against  a  numei 
(ous  body  of  Ii^dians,   closely  drawn  together,   in   th« 
highest  degree    destructiye,    poLuifsus   had  brotight 
over  wiih  him  a  small  body  of  cava|ry*-TThe  Indjpna 
wboiiad  never  before  seen  such  a  creattisp,  imMipl4 
the  Spanish  horses  to  be  rational  beingSi  and,  t^fj^plch 
with  its  rider  forqi^ed  but  one  aniipal ;  they  weMKMtoQ- 
ished  at  their  speed,  and  confHiered  their  impetuosity 
and  strength  as  irresistible.— >ln  th)l  X>nset  they  had  be- 
side another  formidable  enemy  to  terrify  and  destrpy 
them  :  a  great  niimber  of  the  largest  and  fiercest  species 
of  dogs  which  vfere  then  bred  in  Europe,   had  been 
broughlAiither,  which,  set  qn  by  their   weapons,  w  ith- 
out  attempting  resistance,   thsy  fled  with  all  the  speed 
which  terror  could  excite.— Numbers  were   slain,  and 
more  made  prisoners,  who  were  immediately  consigned 
to  slavery.  >.s 

The  character  ol  Columbus  stands  very  high  in  the 
estimation  of  mankind ;  he  is  venerated  not  only  as  .^ 
man  possessing  superior  fortitude,  and  such  a  steady, 
perseverance,  as  no  impediments,  dangers  or  sufTeringy, 
could  shake,  but  as  equally  distinguished  for  piety  an4 
virtue.— His  second  son  Fkhoinano,  who  wrote  the  life 
of  his  father,  apologises  for  this  hcveriiy  towards  the  n^* 


^c/- 


:■!.  . 


^■' 


■r 


|iv^  on  account  of  the  dMtccstf^  »|Mc  into  v^Itioh  4bf 
Qolonf  was  brought :  the  ch«ngf  «f,cKiMltf>  aod  tht  in- 
dbpensable  hbora  which  wfu  r«4ntf«4  of  meu  iwmo* 
customed  to  anf  eiwrtiooa,  had  swept  away  R««at  onoi- 
bcrs  of  the  new  settlors,  and  Jtbe  survivors  w«iw  declin- 
ing daily,  whilst  auch  was  the  i^r«|Conci''e^b)|c  enmitjr  of 
the  oavifes,  that  the  most  luad  aAd  circi^mspcct  conduct 
on  the  part  of  the  Spaniards,  woiil^  not  have  be«n  leffcc- 
tual  to  regai*  their  good  will.— This  apology  setms  to 
hate  been  generally  admitted*  hr  all  madcro  writei.s 
havs  bestowed  upon  ibe  discoyerpr  of  the  jiew  wprld  the 
frarmcitt  cQromcodfiuops  uopDJ^d  w^h  c«n8^«,~|t  is  an 
unpl^asfnt  las]^  lo  derogate  leoin  exalted  merit,  and  to 
Imputt  a  deliberi^e  plan  of  crAielty  aiad  extirpatioo  to  a 
mW  i^eycred  /or  moral  wprih  i  but  although  a  pert  af« 
fectiMioo  pf  n0vel  opinions  conUd  only  originate  in  weak 
nindsi  and  can  be  couoMHumced  only  by  such,  y«t  a  free 
and  uoreacrved  scrutiny  of  Gut«,  can  alone  separate  truth 
from  error,  and  appoitioo  the  jus(  and  iotjrin^iic  degree 
of  me^it  belonging  to  any  character.'n-Tbat  Cclumbus 
had  formed  the  design  of  wagijug  offensive  war  against 
the  Indians,  and  reducing  them  iosIav«iy,  before  he  en- 
tered upon  his  second  voyage,  and,  consequently  "before 
he  was  appriaed  of  the  de^itruction  of  the  people  which 
he  had  left  upon  the  island  of  ifispaciolit,  may  be  infer- 
red from  his  proceeding  him^lf  with  such  a  number  of 
ierce  and  powf  rful  dogs. 

Having  found  the  natives  peacieable  and  well  dispoaedt 
he  had  no  reason  to  apprehend  that  they  would  com- 
mence unpiovoKed  hQStiliiies  ;  the  cavalry  which  he  toolc 
over,  whilst  it  tended  to  impress  those  people  with  the 
deepest  awe  and  veneration,  was  fully  sufficient  for  the 
security  of  the  new  colony,  if  the  fritnd&hip  of  the  na- 
tives had  been  sincerely  meant  to  be  culiivuted  by  a  kind 
and  equitable  deportment ;  but  lo  treat  th'.m  as  a  free 


%>^ 


a 


i 


1 


SI  ii 
i.. 


■ 


ill' 


h 


ii.  1 


u 


ll  I 


M 


t  , 


I    :■ 


(    i! 


!  i 


X 


y. 


-y- 


peopiA  wts  inconsistent  witli  the  views  which  led  tt  ' 
planiini;  •  colonf,  for  as  the  grand  incentive  to  under* 
take  roe  di«tHnt  voyages  was  the  hope  of  acquiring  gotdt 
so.  «!iS  Coi  UMBOS  had  seen  some  worn  as  ornaments  bf 
the  na'ives,  and  had  been  informed  that  the  mountain* 
ouB  parts  of  the  country  yielded  that  precious  metali  ha.  ^ 
hid  excited  expectations  in  his  employers,  and  in  the  na* 
tion  at  larfj^e,  which  both  hia  interest  and  ambition  com- 
pelled him  as  far  as  possible  to  fealize :  the  Spaniards 
Gou'd  not  obtain  gold  without  the  assistance  of  the  sa- 
titen,  and  those  were  so  constitutionally  indolent  that  no 
aUurements  of  presents  or  gratifications  could  excite  them 
to  labor.— .To  renque  himself  therefore  from  disgraces 
and  to  secure  further  support,  he  seems  deliberately  to 
have  devoted  a  harmless  race  of  men  to  slaughter  and 
alavtrv.— Such  as  survived  the  massacre  of  that  draadful 
day*  and  preserved  their  freedom,  fled  into  the  moun« 
tains  and  inaccessible  parts  of  the  islandi  which  not  yield- 
ing them  sufficient  means  of  subsistence)  they  were  com- 
pe  led  to  obtain  a  portion  of  food  from  their  cruel  pur- 
auers,  by  procuring  gold  dust,  in  order  to  support  liie  ; 
a  tribute  being  imposed  upon  them  which  was  rigorously 
exacted. — These  wretched  remains  of  a  free  people,  thus 
diiven  from  fiuitfulness  and  amenity  ;  compelled  to  la. 
hour  for  the  support  of  life :  a  prey  to  despondency, 
which  the  recollection  of  their  former  happiness  sharpen* 
ed,  and  wtiirh  their  hopeless  situation  rendered  unsup* 
portable^  died  in  great  numbers,  the  innocent,  but  unre- 
venged  victims  of  European  avarice.— Such  are  the  facts 
which  have  ever  been  admitted,  yet,  strange  contradic- 
tion !— Columbus  is  celebrated  for  his  humanity  and 
goodness !  but  sliould  he  not  rather  be  considered  as  a 
most  consummate  dissembler;  professing  moderation 
whilst  he  meditated  subversion,  and,  lilce  mo'^t  of  the 
heroes  add  conquerors  whom  history  record*;  renouncing 


':ivV;?^. 


% 


^ir- 


■%'. 


wt9Wf  priacipls  of  justice  and  homaniiy  when  thejr  itop» 
ptd  the  career  of  hit  annbiiioii!<»FiaDiii*Ns  Colvii- 
Bvsf  hit  loni  and  biographer,  haa  with  great  addrcta 
cevefcd  the  ahame  of  bit  lather,  whiUt  the  idinirinf 
world  baa  been  little  disposed  to  censure  a  inant  the 
splendor  of  whose  actions  so  powcrfullf  fascinatei  and 
daxaks. 


I 

0 

1 

il 

I* 

l- 

I- 


;s 


d    \. 

u 


CHAP.  II. 

landwg  of  ovr  forefathers. 

At  PLYMOUTH. 


THE  English,  conducted  by  John  Cabot,  in  the 
year  1497,  found  the  way  to  Norih< America  loon  after 
CoLUMaus  had  successfully  crossed  the  Atlantic  ;  but  as 
the  torrents  in  that  country  brought  doMrn  no  gold,  and 
the  Indians  were  not  bedtcked  with  any  costly  ornaments, 
no  attcnnpts  were  made  to  explore  the  country  for  near  a 
century  after  its  discovery.— Sir  Framcis  Drake,  who 
traversed  the  whole  circumference  of  the  g'obe  in  one 
voyage,  and  in  one  ship,  which  had  never  been  atchieved 
before,  when  af'eiward  annoying  the  Spaniards  in  the 
West-Indies,  and  on  the  main  gained  some  knowledge 
•f  the  eastern  shore  of  the  northern  continent,  as  he  had 
before  of  the  western  parti>  about  the  same  parallel  :-^ 
Sir  Waltkk  Ralkigh.  however,  was  the  first  navigator 
who  explored  the  coast,  bestowed  on  it  a  namC}  and  at- 
tempted  to  settle  a  colony. 

At  that  time  colon  zation  made  no  part  of  the  system 
•f  governmentt  so  that  there  were  few  stimulentsto  aban- 
don a  native  soil  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  possessions  in 
another  hemisphere.— At  length  a  powerlul  incentive 
WMtt  atrouger  than  the  influence  of  kings,  than  the  love 


fin 


'  h 


I' 


M' 


4  V;« 


'/*. 


U' 


"^i 


I  ; 


i 


,•'■■•■■■'..  jr||i«r 

<if  rtte,  thart  ihe  drtid'of  irtlsery.— J?%/o*,  iHiiiili  hi^ 
lodg'  ftieeh  cunttHed  into  tfie  most  powerhil  ehgihe  whiiill 
hniA«n  tubtlety  erc^  iHtde  UMf  of  to  inbjugfete  the  maii 
of  iti'ankiitdt  no  sootidr  cetaed  to  be  so  perterted,  than  hf 
ii«  own  proper  Torce  it  compelled  large  bodlefe  of  people 
t^l'renouDce  evety  pret^nt  enjoyment,  the  instinctife  loVe 
of  a  native  soil,  rooted  habits,  and  dearest  connexioni} 
and  to  settle  in  the  dre«rjr  wilds  of  a  far  distant  continent. 

When  England,  by  a  very  singular  concurrence  of  cir- 
cumstances, threw  ofTtlfe'pa^al  yoke,  state  policy  so  prie- 
dominaied  in  the  measure,  that  the  consciences  of  men 
were  still  required  to  &erid  to  the  discipline,  conform  to 
the  ceremonials,  and  asceht  to  the  doctrine*  which  the 
guverniDg  powers  established;— Although  a  dissent  from 
the  church  cf  Rome  was  considered  as  meritoriousy  yet 
a' dissent  from  the  church  of  England  was  held  to  be  he- 
reticfal,  and  an  oftencc  to  be'  punished  by  the  ciVil  niagis- 
thite.— 'The  human  mind',  somewhat  awakened  from  a 
lohg  suspension  of  hk  powers  hy  a  Wickcliffe^  farther 
enlightened  by  an  Enosinus  and  Melantkcn,  and  at  length 
Called  forth  intof  energy  by  the  collision  of  those  two  ar- 
dent and' daring  spirit*,  Li^tber  and  CAtvik,  then  be- 
gan to  bend'  all  its  attention  toward  religious  enquiries } 
and  exercised  all  its  powers  in  such  pusuits — Hertce 
arose  a'  vast  diversify  of  opinions,  which  gave  rise  to  nu- 
itierous  sects  and  denominations  of  Christians,  but  a»  the 
Protestant  establiiihment  in  England,  held  it  essential  to 
preserve  a  unity  of  faith,  those  novel  opinions  obtained 
no  more  quarter  there  tKan  under  papal  power. 

The  persecuted  and  desperate  religionsists  easily  ob. 
twined  a  royal  grant  of  a  very  extensive  tract  of  land  (now 
cMtd^ New- England)  whither  they  intended  to  repair,  not 
to  amass  wealth,  or  to  exterminate  the  inhabitants,  but 
to  subsist  by  ir.dustVy,  to  purchase  security  by  honorable 
intercourse  with  the  natives,  and  to  acquire  ttrength  un- 


♦''. 


■.ivV-^^V 


\Mf 


€ 


.e- 


I 


•^ir-r 


iitr  ihe  ratpicet  of  firecdoB }  this  alone  wm  their  pritei- 
ttve  object. 

In  the  year  1630,  a  cempanjr  belonging  to  the  church 
•f  a  Mr.  RoaiarsoVi  tailed  from  Plxmouthi  and  after  a 
Cedioui  passage  of  several  months  landed  on*  the  11th 
MoTember  on  the  aoutherlf  part  of  Masaachusetts-bayi 
where  in  consequence  of  the  inclemency  of  the  season, 
they  continued  through  the  winter,  encamped  in  small 
huts*— On  the  approach  of  Spring,  the  flattering  appear- 
ance of  the  country,  and  the  courtesy  of  the  natives,  in- 
duced them  to  form  the  determination  of  making  this  the 
place  of  their  future  abode ;  they  accordingly  began  here 
to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  ne#  colony,  and  In  remem- 
brance ef  the  town  from  which  ihey  last  took  their  de- 
parture,  in  England,  they  called  New-rtymouth, 

NeW'Engiand  from  this  period  began  to  be  rapidly 
peopled  by  the  Europeans ;  so  great  was  the  emigration 
from  the  mother  country,  that  in  less  than  six  years  fromi 
the  time  that  the  first  adventurers  landed  at  New>Ply. 
mouth,  there  were  seven  considerable  towns  built  and  set- 
tled in  the  colony  of  Massachusetts* 

In  the  summer  of  1637,  Mr.  Emdicot,  one  Of  thi 
Original  planters,  was  sent  over  to  begin  a  plantation  at 
Naumkeag,  (now  Salem)— the  June  following  about  300* 
persons,  furnished  with  lour  ministers,  came  ever  andl 
joined  Mr.  Endiuot's  colony  ;  and  the  nest  year  thejr 
formed  themselves  into  a  regular  churoh.  Tbia  was  the 
first  church  gathered  in  Massachusetts,  and  tl^e  second 
m  NeW'England.  The  church  at  Plymouth  had  been 
gathered  eight  years  before.  In  1939,  a  targe  embarka- 
tion Was  projected  by  the  company  in  England  ;  at  the 
request  of  a  number  of  respectable  gentlepien,  most  of 
whom  afterwards  eigne  over  to  New>England,  the  gene- 
ral consent  of  the  company  was  obtained,  that  the  gotern. 
,  isent  ahoald  be  transferred  and  settled  in  Massachusetts. 


■11 


''^'. 


n^- 


!1 

k 
P 

M 

m 
m 


*  *i 


1 1    «: 


A 


rj» 


<m 


i     i^'-      ..:.     . 


% 


n 


ii 


I 


: 


;        , 


i: 


■^  A 


—la- 
in 1650,  levcntecn  ihipt  from  difTerent  porti  in  Hnf- 
lAnd  arrived  in  M»iiachusett»,  with  more  than  ISOO  pat- 
lengert,  among  whom  were  many  perion*  of  disdnction. 
Incredible  were  the  hardships  Uiey  endured— reduced  to 
•  scanty  pittance  of  provisions,  and  that  of  a  kind  to 
which  they  had  not  been  accustomed,  and  destitute  of 
necessary  accommodations,  numbers  sickened  and  died  ; 
ao  that,  before  the  end  uf  the  year,  they  lest  3G0  of 
their  number.  About  this  time  settlements  were  made 
at  Charlesiown,  Bostoni  Dorchester,  Cambridge,  RoxbU" 
ry,  and  Bedford. 

In  the  ycfra  1139  and  I6S3,  great  additions  wete  made 
to  the  cotany*  buch  waa  the  rage  f«r  emigration  to 
New-England,  that  the  king  and  council  thought  fit  to 
issue  an  ordarf  February  7|  1633,  to  prevent  it.  The 
order  however,  was  not  itriclly  obeyed. 

In  1635,  the  foandation  of  a  new  colony  was  laid  tn 
Connecticut,  adjoining  iha  river  which  passes  through 
the  state ;  of  this  river  and  the  country  adjacent,  Lord 
Sat,  and  Lord  Btooi,  were  the  proprietors,  at  the  nouth 
of  said  river  a  fort  by  their  direction  was  bul!i|  which 
in  honor  to  them}  was  called  Saybrook  fort.— Ne\y*Ha- 
Ten  waa  settled  soon  after  the  building  of  this  fort,  aa 
was  a  number  of  other  towns  of  considerable  note  in 
Connecticut.— Some  difficulty  arising  among  those  who 
first  settled  at  New-Plymouthi  a  part  of  the  inhabitantt> 
to  "prevent  any  s^  'ousconsequencea,  removed  to  apleaa- 
ant  and  fert'^je  island  to  the  S.  W.  of  Cape  Cod,  now 
called  Rhode- Island,  wl^ila  othera  settled  at  ProTidencef 
Warwick,  Taunton,  &c.— thus  it  was,  that  in  the  course 
of  a  very  tctr  years,  a  great  part  of  New  England^  which 
ao  late  was  an  uncultivated  forest,  resounding  with  the 
yells  of  savagest  a^d  beasts  of  prey,  became  the  place  of 
Abode  of  our  persecute'!  forefathers. 
Bui  thia  newly  settled  w'»ycti/  wm  not  to  be  acquiredi 


,*♦     , 


«HHmh)C  bloodshed ;  the  natlveff  Although  they  at  fi-n 
jtppewred  hiirmlesi  and  well  ditpoatd  tnwm  J  Ihe  new 
Mttlen»  from  the  rapid  increase  and  too  frequent  ag. 
gressions  of  the  latter,  the  jealousy  of  the  former  was 
^xciledt  which  thejr  aoon  began  more  opeol/  to  manifest, 
'AS  will  sppear  bj  tffar  r  ft  Hows :— 

CHAP.  IJ. 

LOMMBNCiMBNT  op  HOSTILITIES, 
.     WITH  THE  NATIVES. 


THERE  was  a  tribe  of  Indians  which  inltabUed 
Hie  borders  of  Connecticut  rifer,  from  its  mouth  to 
within  a  few  miles  of  Hartfbrdt  called  Fefuodt,  a  fierce* 
cruel,  and  warlike  tribe,  and  the  iufctcrate  enemies  of 
the  English,  never  failing  to  improve  every  opportunity 
to  exercise  toward  them»  the  most  wanton  acts  of  bar- 
|>arity.— In  June  1 634,  they  treacherously  murdered  « 
Capu  Stovx,  and  a  Capt.  Norton,  who  had  been  long  in 
the  habit  of  visiting  them  occasionally,  to  trade. — In  Au- 
gust, 163.fi,  they  inhumanly  murdered  a  Mr.  Wekss, 
and  his  whole  family,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  six  chil- 
dren, and  soon  after  murdered  the  wife  and  children  of  a 
Mr.  Williams,  residing  near  Hartford. — Finding,  how- 
ever, that  by  thrlr  unprovoked  acts  of  barbarity,  they  had 
enkin  V  '  the  resentment  of  the  English  (who,  aroused 
to  a  sense  of  their  danger,  were  making  preparation  to 
exterminate  this  cruel  tribe)  the  Pequods  despatched 
messengers  with  gifts  to  the  Governor  of  the  new  colo> 
oies  (the  Hon.  Josiah  WiifSLow)-«he  being  however 
inflexible  in  his  determination  to  rsvenge  th^  deaths  of 
his  friends,  dismissed  thoac  messengers  without  an  an* 


# 


■>» 


s 


I    ! 


■■w.' 


II 


,  t-' 


WJ 


■! 


I      ! 

i 

i 


'■'■-i' 


^^ 


i' 


•war— The  Pequods  finding  the  KnglUh  rewlnt*  tll| 
determlBcdy  and  fearing  the  consequence  of  their  rer 
eentment,  the  second  time  deipatched  meiMngera  with 
a  large  qaantitjr  of  wem/kiiiii  (Indian  monejr)  at  a  present 
to  the  Governor  and  Councili  with  whom  the  latter  had  a 
eonsiderable  conference,  and  at  length  concluded  a  pace 
en  the  following  terms :— i 

ARTICLES. 

I.  The  Peqnods  shall  deliver  up  to  the  English  those 
of  their  tribe  that  are  guilty  of  the  deaths  of  their  coun- 
trymen. 

II.  The  Pequods  shall  relinqaish  to  the  English  all 
their  right  and  title  to  the  lands  lying  within  the  colony 
of  Connecticut. 

III.  The  English,  if  disposed  to  trade  with  the  Pe- 
quods, shall  be  treated  as  friends;  % 

To  these  articles  the  Pequods  readily  agreed,  and  pro- 
inised  faithfully  to  adhere,  aj^d  at  the  same  time  express- 
ed a  desire  to  make  peace  with  the  Narraganset  Indians* 
with  whom  they  were  then  at  war. 

Soon  after  ttie  conclusion  of  peace  with  the  Pequods, 
the  English,  to  put  theii  fair  promises  to  the  test,  sent  a 
small  boat  into  the  river,  on  the  borders  of  which  ihey 
resided,  with  the  pretence  of  trade ;  but  so  great  was 
the  treachery  ef  the  natives,  that  after  succeeding  by 
fair  promises  in  enticing  the  crew  of  said  boat  on  shore, 
they  were  by  them  inhumanly  murdered. 

The  Pequods  despairing  of  again  deceiving  the  Eng- 
lish in  tiie  manner  they  had  late  done,  now  threw  off 
the  mask  of  friendship,  and  avowing  themselves  the 
natural  enemies  of  the  English,  commenced  open  hos- 
tilities again&t  them,  barbarously  murdering  all  that 
were  so  unfortunate  as  to  fall  into  their  hands^— A  lew 
families  ^ere  at  this  time  settled  at  or  oear  WethersBeid, 
(Conn.)  the  whole  ef  whom  were  carried  awny  cajnive? 


!*' 


'V-^^'v 


1^, 


^tl-^ 


If  them ;  two  girls,  tht  d«ugb<rs  of  *  Mr.  Gibbovs,  of 
Harttord,  were  in  the  most  cruel  manner  put  to  deethf 
after  cu'ting  and  gushing  their  flesh  with  their  knivetf 
the  Indians  filled  their  wounds  with  hot  embersi  in  the 
mean  time  mimicking  their  dying  groans  ! 

The  Pequods  encouraged  hy  the  trifling  resistanc* 
made  by  the  £ngii*h  to  their  wanton  acts  of  barbarity* 
on  the  30th  June,  1637,  besietged  iort  Saybrook,  in  which 
there  were  about  twenty  men  stationed ;  the  Indi^ins 
were  to  the  number  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  they 
surrounded  and  furiously  attacked  the  fort  at  midnighit 
horribly  yelling  and  mimicking  the  dying  groans  of  such 
as  had  fallen  victims  to  their  sarage  barbarity  ;  but  the 
English  being  fortunately  provided  with  two  or  three 
pieces  of  cannon,  caused  their  savage  enemies  to  groan  in 
reality,  who,  after  receiving  two  or  three  vollies  from  the 
besieged,  retreated,  leaving  behind  them  dead,  or  mor- 
tally wounded,  about  fiftji^of  their  number  ;  in  this  at- 
tack the  English  sustained  no  loss.  $ 

The  Governor  and  Council  of  the  new  colony,  alarm- 
ed at  the  bold  and  daring  conduct  of  the  Pequods,  con- 
vened to  adopt  some  plan  that  might  seive   at   least  to 
check  their  murderous  career,  until   such  time  as  thef 
could  be  more  deservedly  dealt   with— by   them  it  was 
unanimously  resolved  that  an  adequate   force  should  be 
immediately  raised  and  sent  against  them ;— according, 
ly  on  the  SOth  August,  between  80  and  90   men,  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Enoicot,  of  Salem,  embarked 
and  set  sail  for  Connecticut  river,  at  the  mouth  of  which 
they  arrived   on  the  SOth    following.    Having  formed 
themselves  (soon  after  their  disembarkation)   into  two 
companies,  they  proceeded  for  the  head-quarters  of  the 
Pequods,  who  were  encamped  to  the  number  of  five  or 
Six  hundred,  oo  the  summit  of  a  steep   hill   about  five 
miles  distant.     The  Pequods   were   armed  principally 


^<--  f^ 


■*! 


.JH^ 


,    5 


vn 


I  >l 

•rj 

'     i.. 


^ 


■U 

1ih 


,1  r- 


1' 


« 


Ill;  i| 


1 1 


^ji'' 


i^:i 


li  I 


t ' 


.,r 


'•*W,f'.ii- 


1  I 

i  i 

I   1  ; 

■   t 


-f,:- 


«rith  bows  and  M>rowSf  and  suffered  the  English  to  ap* 
proach  them  until  within  bow  shot)  when  they  discharg*^ 
cd  a  shower  of  arrows  among  themi  and  then  ptecipl* 
tateljr  fled  into  an  adjoining  waod ;  not  however  untiH 
they  had  received  the  contents  of  the  muskets  of  the 
English,  which  sisyed  the  course  of  a  namber  of  themi 
their  loss  amounting)  as  nearly  as  could  be  ascertained^ 
to  about  thirty  killed  and  wounded-!-the  lo^s  of  the  Eng- 
lish was  comparitively  small,  not  exceeding  ten  in  kil^ 
led  and  wounded*  Capt.  Evoicot  conceiving  it  diffi* 
cult  to  pursue  the  enemy  with  success  into  an  almosjt 
impenetrable  forest,  and  not  being  enabled  to  bring 
them  to  another  action  In  open  field,  after  destroying 
by  fire  their  temporary  encampments,  returned  home, 
previously  lodging  twenty  of  his  men  in  fort  Saybrool^ 
for  its  defence—as  this  fort  had  baen  more  than  once  at. 
tacked  by  the  eniemy,  it  was  strongly  suspected  that 
thay  vere  artfully  devising  ijieans  to  eflfect  its  destruc- 
tion. 

After  the  departure  of  Capt«  Endicot,  the  Pequods 
perceiving  that  they  had  not  only  drawn  upon  themselves 
the  hatred  of  the  English,  but  that  of  all  the  neighbor- 
ing tribes  of  Indians,  attempted  to  make  peace  with  the 
Narragansets  (with  whom  they  had  been  for  a  long 
time  at  war,)  but  the  Governor  and  Council  being  ap- 
prised of  this,  sent  for  Miavtinomi,  the  Narraganset 
Sachem,  and  twenty  of  his  principal  men,  whom  they 
termed  Sannops  ;  they  arrived  in  Boston  agreeable  to  the 
summons  of  the  Governor,  &c*  on  the  30th  November 
ioUowing.  With  Miantikomi  a  firm  peace  was  con- 
cluded, who,  after  being  presented  by  the  Governor  with 
a  new  scarlet  coat,  as  a  token  of  friendship,  was  escort, 
ed  out  of  town  by  a  company  ot  musketeers,  and  dis- 
missed with  a  salute  of  honour.— The  articles  of  Peace 
which  were  drawn  up  by  the  Gorernor  and  Council,  and 


■A\   >.l 


m 


■.ivI^^V 


>>^ 


SV 


iksseftted  to  and  signed  bf  Miamtiitomi,  tnd  hit  cbief 
ihcD}  were  ai  follow  :— 

ARTICLES. 

I.  A  permanent  Peace  to  be  maintained  between  the 
EnglJtb  and  the  Narrag^seti)  both  parties  pledge  them* 
aelves  to  adhere  to  each  others  interests  in   all  quarrels 

rWith  their  enemies. 

II.  Neither  of  the  parties  to  make  peace  with  the 
PequodS)  without  its  being  (irat  mutually  assented  to. 

III.  The  Narragansets  solemnly  pledge  themselves 
not  to  harbour  or  have  any  dealing  with  the  Pequods, 
but  to  deliver  up  to  the  English  such  of  that  tribe  a* 
resort  lo  them  for  safety. 

IV:  The  Narragansets  are  at  all  times  to  fumi>h  the 
English  with  guides,  whenever  they  are  disposed  to  en- 
vade  the  Pequod  country. 

The  Pequods  still  continuing  to  practice  their  wan- 
ton  acts  of  cruelty  toward  the  English,  it  was  jointly  a- 
greed  by  the  three  colonies  to  raise  as  great  a  force  as 
possible  the  ensuing  apriag,  for  the  suppressing  of  the 
tommon  enemy  ;  in  conformity  to  which  the  Governor 
ordered  the  raising  and  equipping  of  160  effective  men, 
in  each  colony,  which  was  the  largest  number  that  fire 
arms  could  at  this  time  be  procured  for— the  wholet 
were  to  be  under  the  command  of  Col.  Stoughtov,  o£ 
Dorchester,  and  Captains  Patrick,  and  Trasx,  of  Sa- 
lem, who  were  to  be  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  John 
Wilson,  of  Boston.— The  object  of  this  expedition  was 
to  surprise  and  demolish  an  Indian  fort,  aituated  near  th« 
head  of  MysMc  river.— In  May,  the  whole  number  (4W 
effective  men)  having  assembled  at  the  place  of  public 
rendexvauS)  embarked  and  set  sail  for  Narraganset, 
where  they  were  joined  by  Miantinomi,  with  about  300 
•f  his  fighting  men,  with  whom  they  proceeded  for  their 
place  of  deitinattoQi— When  within  abt ut  a  mile  of  tht 


,r  «.:'i1Si:--T'T?T-:T>55-.3^- 


iM' 


'»■  -'^f-wSy.'ap  ■ 


!     ) 


>:  t 


m 

Hi 


n 


-.t4« 


}   ' 


9       I 


Ibrt*  an  Indian  was  sent  to  reconnoitre  the  eaciBJr«  who^ 
making  a  favorable  report,  thejr  pushed  forward  and  at 
about  ^cak  of  daj,  arrived  within  gun  ahot  of  the  fort^v; 
*  before  they  were  discovered  by  the  enemjr— at  this  im* 

'■'  portant  moment  a  bloody  engagement  coinmenced,  th^ 

Pequods  were  about  1 500  strong,  and.  being  completely 
,  ,,  aurrounded  by  the  English,  and  friendly  Indians,  fought 
desperately,  while  the  adjacent  woods  resounded  with 
tbeir  hideous  yells  ;  the  English  commanders  with  un- 
equalled bravery  repelled  every  aUacl^and  attempt  of  the 
j^s  >  enemy  to  bre»k  through  their  lints— Mi antinomi   and 

lib  fighting  men,  likewise  most  heroically  distinguished 
themselves— boldly  facing  the  enemy,  they  with  their, 
long  knives  and  tomahawks,  made  terrible  slaughter  a. 
mong  them.— After  two  houra  hard  fighting,  the  £ng* 
lish  having  expended  all  their  ammunition,  the  action 
became  attii  more  close  and  severe,  the  English  clubbing 
their  muskets,  fell  apon  the  enemy  with  the  fury  of 
lions,  and  very  soon  compelled  the  few  that  remained 
alive  to  surrender.— It  should  be  here  mentioned  as  a 
■  V  remarkable  instance  of  savage  irenerjt  that  MiANf  ino« 
MI,  in  this  severe  contest,  espying  the  Sachem  of  the 
Pequods  su.  >anded  by  a  dozen  or  more  of  his  bravest 
^''  ^%.*,^  men,  boldly  cut  hit  way  through  and  slew  him,  and  af- 
ter detaching  the  head  from  the  body  (with  an  old  sword 
which  bad  been  presented  him  for  the  purpose)  brought 
it  and  laid  it  at  the  feet  of  Col.  St ouGH  VON.  i 

The  English  having  completely  overpowered  the  ene. 
my  If  entered  their  fort  and  set  it  on  fire,  in  which  the  few 
Indians  that  remained  alive,  and  were  unwilling  to  lur^ 
render  themselves  prisoners  of  war  to  the  English,  were 
consumed.— This  action  proving  a  decisive  one,  was  of 
the  greatest  irat>ortance  to  the  English— viatery  was  not> 
/  *^  bowevcr,  obtained  without  considerable  loss  on  their  part ; 
their  number  of  slain  amounting  to  €8,  and  the  Bumber 


>1t^<M 


^    -\ 


■j>:^^\- 


-^ 


<^5- 


l.«%i:,i  jJviS 


6f  wbunded  t>ein|r  itin  greater^the  eiaet  fdsi  of  ttle 
Pequods  could  never  be  ascertained,  it  was  supposed  to 
haTc  exceeded  500  i— The  English  having  thus  com- 
pletely effected  their  object,  after  burjing  their  dead,  re- 
turned home)  and  for  this  noble  exploit,  the  thanks  of 
the  Governor  and  Council  were  publicly  bestowed  upon 

them. 

After  the  complete  extermination  of  the  Pequod  tribe, 
the  Narragansets  (the  most  numerous  tribe  in  NeW'Eng- 
land)  being  displeased  with  the  small  power  with  which 
they  were  vested  by  the  English,  and  the  great  respect 
which  the  latter  had  ever  manifested  for  Ukcas.  the  chief 
Sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  appeared  disposed  to  break 
their  treaty  of  friendship.— The  Narragan-icts  were  much 
animated  by  the  haughty  spitit  and  aspiring  mind  of  their 
Sachem  Miantinohi  ;  who,  it  was  by  the  English  con- 
jectured, was  tieacherously  devising  means  to  draw  all 
the  Indian  tribes  throughout  the  country  into  a  conspira< 
cy  against  ihem> — Letters  were  forwarded  to  the  Govern- 
or and  Council  of  Massachusetts,  by  their  friends  in  Con- 
necticut, in  which  they  strongly  urged  the  necessity  of 
an  immediate  co-operation  of  their  forces,  f«r  their  gen- 
eral safety  ;  as  tq  them,  the  plot  of  Miantimomi  had 
been  disco .'ered  by  a  friendly  Indian.— Upon  the  receipt 
of  this    important  information,   from   Connecticut,   the 
General  Court  of  the   three  colonies  was   immediately 
convened,  and  by  them  it  was  resolved,  that  buch  uf  the 
Indians  as  had  been  presented  as  a  token  of  repcct  with 
fire-arms,  should  be  deprived  of  them,  and  that  Mian- 
TiNoMi,  should  be  immediately  summoned  to  appear  be. 
fore  themi  to  confute,  if  possibly,  the  serious  charges 
which  had  been  alledged  against  him— the  summons  was 
obeyed  by  Miantinohi,    and  while  before  the  Court, 
peremtorily  demanded  that  his  accusers  sh-ould  likewise 
be  compelled  to  ifppear.— No  one  appearing  publicly  to 


.\ir 


t 

i 


\l 


fit 

,5  . 


•'f^i 


.;M! 


("i 


i 

1      I 

i!-  I 


Ml! 


I 

1 ,     M 


I     '.  i 


;     '- 


^V* 


V.-'    - 


'':7 


iccuie  MiAMTiNOMi,  he  promptly  charged  UkcaS)  the 
Mohegan  Sacheni}  with  being:  the  fabiicator  of  the  re- 
port—this charge  enkindled  the  resentment  of  Ukcas' 
who  chblknged  Miantinomi  to  fight  him  in  single  cono- 
bat,  which  Miakt»nomi  declining,  Uncas  declared  war 
against  the  Narraga'nsets. 

Un^as  was  a  very  distinguished  friend  of  the  Englishi 
and  had  by  his  many  services  signalized  himself  as  such 
—in  no  one  did  they  repose  more  confidence — he  ww 
brave  and  resolute,  and  a  terror  to  his  enemies ;  while 
to  his  friends,  be  was  always  pleasing  and  condescend- 
ing—The first  engagement  which  look  place  between 
these  two  very  powerful  tribes,  was  on  the  first  of  Au- 
gust, 1643,  which  was  as  severe  as  it  was  decisive  ;  the 
Narragansets  having  been  much  tutored  by  the  English, 
fuught  with  becoming  bravery,  but  nothing  could  with- 
stand the  invincible  spirit  of  Uvcas,  who,  after  routing 
his  enemies,  pursued  Miantimomi  in  person,  and  took 
him  prisoner,  and  shortly  after  severed  his  head  from  his 
body. 

The  English  now  enjoyed  a  peace  until  the  year  1671, 
when  thty  again  took  up  arms  to  revenge  the  death  oi 
one  of  their  countrymen,  who  had  been  inhumanly  mur- 
dered  by  an  Indian  belonging  to  the.  Nipnet  tribe,  ot 
which  the  celebrated  Pbilif,  of  Mount  Hope  (now  Bris- 
tol R.  I.)  was  Sachem.— It  was  thought  the  most  pru- 
dent step,  by  the  Governor  and  Council,  first  to  send 
for  Philip,  and  acquaint  him  with  the  cause  of  their 
re<ientment,  and  the  course  which  they  were  determined 
to  pursue,  in  case  he  refused  to  deliver  into  their  hands 
the  murderer-^PHiLip  being  accordingly  sent  for,  and 
appearing  before  the  Court,  appeared  much  dissatisfied 
with  the  conduct  of  the  accused)  assuring  them  that  no 
pains  should  be  spared  to  bring  him  to  justice  ;  and  more 
fully  to  confirm  his  friendship  for  the*English,  expres&ei 


■  v* 


f 


* 


■■■■'-.■V' 


■>:y^\ 


%(<■' 


—37— 


«  wisti  that  the  declaration  which  he  wai  about  publicijr 
to  make,  might  be  committed  to  puper,  that  he  und  hi« 
Council)  might  ih«rtun(o  affix  their  signatures.  The 
Governor  and  Council*  In  compliance  with  the  reque&tof 
Pbilip,  drew  up  the  fnllowing,  which  after  being  signed 
by  PaiLiP  and  his  chief  men,  was  presented  to  the  Gov> 
cmor  by  Philip  in  confirmation  of  his  friendly  assur- 
aoces ;— . 

V  u  Whereas  my  father,  my  brother,  and  myself,  have 
uniformly  submitted  to  the  good  and  wholesome  lawb  of 
his  majesty,  the  king  of  England,  and  have  ever  ropcct- 
ed  his  faiibfu!  subjscts,  the  English,  as  uur  friends  and 
brothers,  ai;d  being  still  anxious  to  brighten  the  chain  of 
friendship  beiweeu  us,  we  do  now  embrace  this  opportuu* 
nitjr  to  pie<lge  ourselves,  that  we  will  spare  no  pains  in 
seeking  out  and  bringing  to  justice,  such  of  our  tribe  as 
•hall  hereafter  commit  any  outrage  against  them  ;  and  to 
remove  all  ausptcion,  we  voluntarily  agree  to  deliver  up 
to  them »  all  the  fire-arms,  which  they  have  heretofore 
kindly  presented  us  with,  until  such  time  as  they  caa 
safely  repose  confidence  in  us — and  for  the  true  perform- 
ance of  theae  our  sacred  promises^  we  have  hereunto  i-et 
pur  hands* 

Chief  Sachem, 
Putlip's  X  mark. 
,  ,  Chief  Men. 

PoKAKOKEf's  ^  mark* 
Umcombo's  X  mark. 
V       In  presence  of  the       i        Samkjua's  ^m^^vk;   ^ 
Governor  and  Council.  ^^^^  Wosok^m's  ^  murk. 
^Mton,  April  10,  1671. 

Notwithstanding  the  fair  promises  of  Philip,  it  was 

.  soon  discovered  by  the  English,  J|,hi%he  was  playing  a 

deep  game,  (hat  he  was  artfully  enticiifft.liis  red  brelh- 

rjBD  throughout  the  whole  of  New*England,  to  tise*  en 


¥ 


',■ 

-1» 

IM 

'? 

1  i 

4.,- 

■     1 

;.*■;' 

,  ■' 

■    1   ■  1 

-*, 

J 

t 

('    «», 

'- 

L 

.•:'^ 

"V 

.- ! ' 

J. 

f!    ' 

11^  i 


J    ■ 


m 


. 


'! 


raaiiC)  again>l  lbein»  and  drive  them  out  of  the  country  | 
the  Narraganiete,  fcr  thit  purpoie,  had  engaged  to  raiie 
4000  fighting  men— the  apting  of  1679,  waa  the  time 
agreed  upon  on  which  the  grand  blow  was  to  be  given.— 
The  evil  intentions  of  PaiLip,  was  first  discovered  and 
communicated  to  the  English,  by  a  friendly  Indian,  of 
the  Narraganset  tribe ;  fortunately  for  them,  this  Indian 
had  been  taken  into  favor  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elliot*  by 
whom  he  bad  bcfen  taught  to  read  and  write,  and  became 
much  attached  to  the  English.— The  Governor- upon  re> 
cciving  the  important  information  relative  to  the  hostile 
views  of  Philip,  ordered  a  military  watch  to  be  kept  up 
in  aU  the  fjpglish  settlements  «»iihin  the  three  colonies} 
by  some  of  whom  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  report 
of  their  Indian  friend  was  too  well  founded,  as  the  In> 
dianil  of  different  tribes  were  daily  seen  flocking  in  great 
numbers  to  the  head^quartera  of  Philiv;  previously 
sending  their  wives  and  children  to  the  Narraganset 
country,  which  they  had  ever  done  previous  to  the  com<* 
mencement  of  hostilities.  4  <- 

..  The  inhabitants  of  Swanzey  (a  small  settlement  ad* 
Joining  Mount-Hope,  the  head-qusrters  of  Philip)  were 
the  first  wJio  felt  the  effecu  of  this  war.—PaiLiP,  en« 
couragcd  by  the  numbers  who  were  daily  enlisting  un- 
der his  banners,  and  despairing  of  discovering  cause  that 
could  justify  him  in  the  commencement  of  hostilities 
against  his  *'  friends  and  brothers,"  as  he  had  termed 
them^  resolved  to  provoke  them  to  war  by  killing  their 
cattle,  filing  their  barrs,  &c.-rthis  plbn  had  its  desired 
effect,  as  the  inhabitants,  determined  to  save  their  pro- 
perty or  pciish  in  the  attempt,  fired  upon  the  Indians, 
which  war-  deemed  cause  sufiicicnt  by  the  latter  to  com- 
mence  their  bloody  w^k— >the  war-hoop  was  immediatt-Iy 
thereupon  souiided,  when  the  Indians  commenced  an  in- 
discriminate tuurder  of  the  det'tneelets  inhabi:an<.s  of 


\  t-^ 


'V-^^v 


— 9f— 


■  1 


- 1 

1 


.-i  ■ 


Swansef ,  ipuring  not  the  tender  infant  at  (he  breaat !~ 
but  ihreei  of  teYcnty'tight  pertons  which  the  town  con* 
tained,  made  their  escape.««Metseng«r8  were  despatched 
with  the  melancholy  tiding*  of  this  bloodjr  affair,  to  the 
Governor,  who  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Council,  des- 
patched a  company  of  militia  with  all  possible  speed  to 
the  reliei  of  the  distressed  inhabitants  residing  near  the 
headquarters  of  Philip;— as  soon  aa  they  could  bs 
raised,  three  companies  more  were  despatched  under  the 
command  of  Captains  Hencbman,  Prcntics,  and 
MostLy,  who  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  Swansey, 
en  the  38th  June,  where  they  were  joii^d  by  four  more 
companies /rom  Plymouth  colony—it  was  found  that  the 
Indians  had  pillaged  and  set  fire  to  the  village,  and  with 
their  btfoty  bad  retired  to  Mount-Hope— a  company  of 
cavalry  were  sent  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Prkn- 
TICB,  to  reconnoitre  them ;  but  before  they  arrived  at  a 
convenient  plac6  for  thik  purpose,  they  were  ambushed 
and  fired  upon  by  the  enemy,  who  killed  six  of  their 
number  and  wounded  ten— the  report  of  their  guns  alarm- 
ing the  remaining  compaoiet  o!  the  English,  tbey  has- 
tened to  the  relief  of  the  cavdry,  who  at  this  moment 
were  completely  surrounded  by  about  600  Indians,  be- 
tween whom  and  the  English  a  warm  contest  now  en- 
sued ;  the  savages  fought  desperately,  and  more  than 
once  nearly  succeeded  in  overpowering  the  English,  but 
very  fortunately  for  them,  when  nearly  despairing  of  vic- 
tory, a  fresh  company  of  militia  from  fiostou  arrived ; 
which  flunking  the  enemy  on  the  right  and  left,  and  ex- 
posing them  to  two  fires,*  soon  overpowered  them,  and 
caused  ihem  to  seek  shelter  in  an  adjoining  wood,  inac* 
cessible  to  the  English.— The  English  had  in  this  severe 
engagement  43  killed,  and  73  wounded,  many  of  them 
mortuliy— the  enemy's  loss  was  supposed  to  be  much 
greater* 


'4. 


li   < 


\  k 


\      't 


'l.J^:.. 


—10— 


On  the  SOttii  Major  Sataci  (who  bjr  hit  Excellencf 
the  Gofernor  had  btten  appointed  Commander  in  Chief 
of  the  combined  Cnglivh  iorcea)  arrived  with  an  addi. 
tional  company  of  cavalry,  who  with  the  remaining  com- 
panies the  following  day  commenced  their  march  for 
Mount-Hope,  the  head  quarters  of  Philip— on  theif 
Wdy,  the  English  were  affected  with  a  scene  truly  dis- 
tressing  ;  the  Savages,  not  content  with  bathing  their 
tomahawks  m  the  blood  cf  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of 
Swanztry,  had)  it  was  discovered,  in  many  instances  de- 
tached their  limbs  from  their  mangled  bodieS)  and  affix- 
ed them  to  poles  which  were  extended  in  the  air,  among 
which  were  discovered  the  hrads  of  several  infant  chil- 
dren* the  whole  of  which»  by  order  of  Maj.  Savage 
were  collected  and  buried*  * 

The  English  arrived  at  Moimt>Hope  about  sun-set,  but 
the  enemy  having  received  information  of  their  approacht 
had  deserted  their  wigwarms  and  retired  into  a  neigh- 
boring wood.^Mk>jor  Savaox,  to  pursue  the  enemy 
with  success,  now  divided  his  men  into  seperate  compa- 
nies,  which  he  ordered  to  march  in  different  directionti 
stationing  40  at  Mount-Hope.— On  the  4th  July,  the 
men  under  the  command  of  Captains  Church,  and 
HoTCHiNsoK,  fell  in  with  a  body  of  the  enemy,  to  the 
number  of  200,  whom  they  attacked  ;  the  English  be- 
ing but  32  in  number,  including  officers,  victory  for  a 
considerable  length  of  time  appeared  much  in  favour  of 
the  Savages,  but  very  fortunately  for  the  former  being 
commanded  by  bold  and  resolute  officers,  they»  defend- 
ed themselves  in  the  most  heroic  manner  until  relieved 
by  a  company  oi  cavalry  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Prbnticr.— The  Indians  now  in  turn  finding  the  fire  of 
the  F.'.igiitth  too  warm  for  ihem,  fled  in  every  direction, 
leaving  30  of  their  number  dead  and  about  60  severely 
wounded)  on  the  field  of  action— the  English  in  this  en^ 


ii 


■i^:^v; 


-*-t. 


^^ 


'±h~ 


^■" 


■  'I' 


't 


ed 
Ipt.  ^ 

of 
>n» 


gagement  bad  7  killed,  and  93  woundedi  fire  of  whom 
■urviv«d  the  action  but  a  few  hours. 

This  action)  so  far  from  daunting  the  bold  and  reso- 
lute Capt.  Chvbci,  seemed  to  inspire  him  with  addi- 
tional bravery  ;  unwilling  that  any  of  the  enemy  should 
escape,  he  boldly  led  his  men  into  an  almost  impenetra- 
ble furcst,  into  which  those  who  juivived  the  action  had 
fled-~the  Indians  perceiving  the  English  approachingi 
concealed  themselves  from  their  view  by  lying  flut  on 
their  bellies,  in  which  situation  they  remained  concealed 
until  the  Knglish  had  advanced  within  a  few  rods  of 
them,  wiicn  euch  unperceived  fixing  upon  his  man,  dis> 
charged  a  shower  of  arrows  amung  them— this  unex- 
pected check  threw  the  English  into  confusion,  which 
the  Indi'ins  perceiving,  rushed  furiously  upon  them  with 
their  knives  and  tomahawks,  shouting  horribly  !— the 
English  (their  cavalry  being  unable  to  bffbrd  them  as- 
sistance) were  now  in  a  very  disagreeable  situation,  the 
trees  being  so  very  large  as  to  render  it  cillicult  to  use 
their  fire  arms  with  any  effect,  and  they  were  very  soon 
sc  encompassed  by  the  Suvages,  as  to  render  almost  ev- 
ery effort  to  defend  themselves,  u&el':ss;  of  64  who  en- 
tered the  swamp,  but  27  escaped,  among  whom,  very 
fortunatdy,  was  their  valuable  leader  Capt.  Church* 

The  ^glish  finding  that  they  could  neither  brings 
their  enemies  to  action  in  open  field,  or  engage  them 
with  any  success  in  the  forest  in  which  they  were  lodg- 
ed, returned  home;,  with  the  exception  of  three  compa- 
nies, who  by  Major  Savage  were  stationed  near  the 
borders  of  a  swamp,  into  which  it  was  strongly  suspec- 
ted that  Philip,  with  a  number  of  his  tribe,  had  fled— 
this  swamp  was  two  miles  in  length,  and  to  the  Eng- 
lish inacces&fble— Philip,  who  had  been  watching  the 
motion  of  his  enemies,  perceiving  the  greater  part  of 
them  marching  off  conjectured  that  their  object  was 


V^  N  *■' 


* 


I J 


1  : 

!,   i 
• 

f  t  ,1 


.  > 


1; 

i. 

1 

1 

i 

1 

' 

h 

\':t 

I 

\ 

\  \[ 


w. 


-:!L.:,  S^ 


#: 


#. 


I  ; 


(o  obUin  a  rclrirorcerncnt ;  imprttsed  with  this  bclicfi 
he  re&olved  to  improve  the  first  opportunity  to  etcap« 
with  a  few  chosen  mm,  by  water,  (the  twamp  border- 
ing on  an  extensive  cove)'-thia  he  with  little  diflRcultjr 
effected  the  proceeding  night,  taking  the  advantage  of 
a  low  tide.  Thejr  were  soon  after  their  escape  discoT- 
ered  and  pursued  by  the  inhabitants  of  Rehoboth,  ae* 
companied  by  a  ywiy  of  the  Mohcgans,  who  had  tol- 
unteered  ihcir  services  against  Philip; 

The  Rehoboth  mititia  came  up  with  the  rear  of  the 
enemy  about  sunset,  and  killed  13 -of  them,  without  bus- 
taioing  any  loss  on  their  part  ;  night  prevented  their 
engaging  the  whole  force  of  Philip,  but  early  the  suc- 
ceeding morning  they  continued  the  pursuit}  the  In- 
dians had  however  fled  with  such  precipitancy  that  it 
vas  found  impossible  to  overtake  them-^hey  bent  theif 
course  to  the  westward,  exhorting  the  different  tribes 
through  which  they  passed  to  take  up  arms  against  the 
English. 

The  United  Colonies  became  now  greatly  alarmed  at 
the  hostile  views  and  rapid  strides  of  Philip— the  Gen- 
eral Court  was  constantly  in  sitting  and  endeavouring  to 
plan  means  to  cut  him  off  before  he  should  have  an  op- 
portunity to  corrupt  the  minds  of  too  many  ofi||iis  coun- 
trymen* "     "^ 

While  the  Court  was  thus  employed,  information  waa 
received  that  Philip  had  arrived  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Urookfield  (situated  about  65  miles  from  Boston)  and 
that  a  number  of  its  inhabitants  had  been  inhumanly 
'  bu'.cheteci  by  his  adiierents.— Orders  were  immediately 
thereupon  issued  for  the  raising  ten  companies  of  foot 
and  horite,  to  be  dispatched  to  the  relief  of  the  unfor- 
tunate inhabitants  of  Brookfield ;  but  before  they  could 
reach  that  place  Philip  and  his  party  had  entered  the 
town,  and  indiscriminately  put  to  death  almost  every  in- 


<*- 


&: 


^G 


% 


.  .^1 


.•.S3— 

iiaiitunt  which  it  conUinedi  the  Tew  that  escaped  httin^ 
token  the  precaution,  pre?iou«  to  the  attack,  to  atsembl^  , 
together  In  one  houMf  which  thej  stronflj  fortified  ;  this 
house  wa%  furioualj  attacked  %j  ihe  savages  and  seteral 
timet  sei  ou  &re»  and  the  besieged  were  on  the  point  of 
•orrendering  wlien  Major  WlLLAas  happilj  arrived  (o 
their  relief!— B«twe«n  the  English  and  the  Indians  a  des- 
perate engagement  nuw  ensued,  Ihe  former  hj  the  ex* 
press  command  of  their  oflkcers,  gave  no  quarter,  but  in 
a  verf'heroic  manner  rushed  upon  the  sAvages  with  club* 
bed  muskets ;  the  action  continued  until  near  suntetj 
when  the  few  Indians  that  remained  alive  sought  shelter 
in  '.he  neighboring  woods.— In  this  engagement  the  Eng* 
lish  bad  3S  killed  and  70  wounded— the  enemy's  lose 
was  Sir  killed,  and  between  900  and  300  wounded,  who 
bjr  way  of  r.taliation  (for  their  barbarity  exercised  to- 
ward the  de>ncelc  1  inhabitanta  of  Brookfield)  were  im- 
mediatety  put  to  -^eBth* 

The  Governor  and  Council,  on  learning  the  fat?  of  the 
unfortunate  inhabitants  of  Brookfield,  despatched  a  rein- 
forcement of  three  companies  of  cavalry  to  Major  Wil- 
tARD,  and  ordered  the  like  number  to  be  sent  him  from 
Hartford,  ini  Connecticut  colony,  with  which  he  was  di- 
rected to  pursue  Philip  with  fire  and  swotd,  to  whatever 
part  of  the  country  he  should  resort.        ,     /    ^ .      - 

It  beings  discovered  that  a  part  of  Philip's  force  nsd 
fled  to  Hatfield,  two  compani"*  cf  Englibb,  under  com- 
mand of  Capt*  Lathrop,  and  Capt.  Beers,  were  sent  in 
pursuit  of  them,  who  within  about  three  miks  of  Hat- 
field, overtook  and  attacked  them,  but  the  force  of  the 
Engliah  being  greatly  inferior  to  that  of  the  eneniy«  the 
former  were  defeated  and  driven  back  to  the  main  body, 
which  euabled  the  enenay  (who  had  in  the  late  engage- 
ment been  detached  from  their  main  body)  to  join  Phil- 
ip—On  the  18th  September,  information  was  received 
£ 


\i-'\- 
.^M?^?, 


'tJ: 


I:    ' 


V*'' 


!.■'. 


■J 

i  t  ! 


i: 


■iU 


1 


A 


4,, 


v> 


—34^ 


1. 


m 


' '  i , 


by  M«jor  Willakd  that  the  enemy  had  succeshiveljr  aU 

tacked  and  defeated  the  troops  under  the  command  of 

Xapt.  Laturop,  that   they  were  ambushed  and  uiitx- 

pectediy    surrounded  by    1000  of  the  etiemy.  to  whom 

V  they  all  (except  three,   who  escaped)  fell  a  sacrifice  !— 

*    The  defeat  of  Capt.  Lathrop  look  place  in  the  ncigh- 

w^^borhood  of  Deerfield,  for  the  defence  of  which,  there 

;'ivas  an  Enghsh  garrison,  which  the  Indiana  wtre  about 

:,to  attack  when  Major  Wiilabd  happily  arrived,  on  the 

approach  of  whom,  the  Indians  fled. 

'     On  the  lOth  October  following,  a  party  of  Philip's 

^Indians  successfully   assaulted  the  town  of  SpringBeldf 

.which  they  pillaged  and  set  fire  to,  kiMing  about  40  of  the 

inhabitants.— On  the  1 4th  they  assaulted  the  town  of 

Hatfield,  in  which  two  companies,  under  the  command 

of  Capt.  MosELT, and  Capt.  Applbton,  were  stationed; 

the   enemy  continued   the  attack   for  about  two  hours, 

when  finding  the  fire  of  the  English  too  warm  for  them, 

they  fled,  leaving  a  number  of  their  party  behind  them 

,  dead. 

Philip  now  finding  himself  closely  pursued  by  alargt 
and  formidable  body  of  the  English,  deemed  it  prudent 
to  bend  his  course  toward  his  old  place  of  residence, 
there  to  remain  until  the  ensuing  spring. 

But  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  duly 
reflecting  on  the  deplorable  situation  of  their  defenceless 
.  brethren  throughout  the  country,  aware  that  there  were 
then  a  much  greater  number  of  their  savage  enemies 
.'  embodied,  than  at  any  former  period,  who,  if  suffered 
peaceably  to  retire  into  winter  quarters,  might  prove  too 
powerful  for  them  the  spt  ing  ensuing,  resolyed  to  attack 
the  whole  force  under  Philip  in  their  winter  encamp- 
ment—for  the  purpose  of  which,  every  Englishman,  ca« 
pable  of  bearing  arms,  i^ere  commanded  (by  Proclama« 
tiob  of  the  Governor)  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  t* 


"k 


■t: 


>^  ^\: 


at-    ';• 

of    ^^ 

t 

■  ^^^ 

ere 
out 
ihe 

IP's 
eld,    - 
the 

of  ^ 
and 
ed; 

ilfS) 

lem 

irg« 
lent 
nccy 

luly 
less 
rere 
nies 
Bred 
too 
lack 
mp- 
,  ca«X 
iina* 
»  t* 


1  I 


-85- 

IBArch  at  the  shortest  notice.— The  10th  of  December, 
was  the  dtj  appointed  by  ilie  Commissioners  on  which 
the  decibive  blow  wa«  to  be  given— bix  companies  were 
immediately  raibcd  in  Massachusetts,  consisting  in  th« 
whole  of  537  men,  to  the  command  of  Which  were  ap- 
pointed Captains  Mosklt,  Garonbb,  Davinpobt, 
Olites,  and  Johnson— five  companies  were  raibtd  in 
Connecticut;  consisting  cf  450  men,  to  the  command  of 
which  were  appointed  Cnpiains  Sielt,  Gallop,  Mason, 
Watts,  and  Mausuall— .two  companies  were  likewise 
raised  in  Plymouth,  consisting  of  150  men,  who  weie 
commanded  by  Captiiins  Rice  and  Coram  ;— three  Ma* 
jors  of  the  three  reapectivc  divisions,  were  also  appoint- 
ed, to  wit :  Mttjor  Applston  of  Massachusetts — Major 
Tekat  of  Connecticut*  and  Major  Bkadpord  of  Ply- 
mouth-->the  whole  force,  consisting  of  1 137  men,  were 
commanded  by  Major- General  Winblow,  late  Governor 
of  the  colonies. — On  the  7th  December,  the  combined 
force*  commenced  their  march  for  the  head-quarters  of 
the  enemy— at  this  inclement  season  it  was  with  the  ut- 
most difficaltjr  that  the  troops  were  enabled  to  penetrate 
through  a  wild  and  pathless  wood — on  the  morning  of 
the  9th  (having  travelled  ail  the  preceding  night)  (bey 
anived  at  the  border  of  an  extensive  swamp,  in  which 
they  were  informed  by  ihtir  guides,  the  enemy  were  en- 
camped, to  the  number  of  2000.— The  English  (after 
partaking  cf  a  little  refreshment)  Termed  fur  battle.— 
Capt.  MosKLY,  and  Ciipt.  Davenpokt  led  the  van,  and 
Maj.  APPLiiTON,  and  Capt.  Oliter,  brought  up  the 
rear  of  the  Mas.achu^cus  forces— General  VVin.iLow, 
with  the  Plymouth  uoops,  furnied  the  csntre  — the  Con- 
necticut Itoops  und-.r  the  command  of  their  respective 
captains,  toRct^icr  whh  uboui|00  of  the  Mohcgati-j,  com- 
inanded  by  i^'ncas,  brought  up  the  rear. 

It  was  discovered  by  an  Indiiin  sent  for  that  purpusa. 


:^.:ir: 


I 


^^^ 


u 


i 

Hi 


( 


n 


■■•tf.- 


'•I 


'! 


I 


'N 


^:-'5*. 


'W 


— 8«^ 


^ 


that  in  the  centre  of  the  fwamp,  the  eoenif  had  built  f 
▼cry  strong  fort,  of  lo  wise  construction*  that  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  more  than  one  person  could  enter  at  one 
time.— 'About   10  o'cloclii  A*  M.  the  English,  with  the 
•ound  of  the  trumpet,  entered  the  swamp,  and  when 
within  about  fifty  rods  of  their  fort,  were  met  and  attack- 
ed by  the  enemy— the  Indians,  in  their  usual  manner^ 
shouting  and  howling  like  beasts  of  prey,  commenced 
the  attack  yfhh  savage  fury,  but  with  a  hideous   noise 
the  English  were  not  to  be  intimidated ;  charging  then^ 
with  une(|ualled  bravery,  the  enemy  were  soon  glad  to 
seek  shelter  within  the  walls  of  their  fort ;— the  English 
having  closely  pressed  upon  the  enemy,  as  they  retreat- 
ed, njTw  in  turn  found  themselves  in  a  very  disagreeable 
situation,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  Indians,  (who  were 
covered  by  a  high  breaft  'work)  they  were  not  eren  ena- 
bled to  act  on  the  defensive.— At  this  critical  juncture| 
the  lion-hearted  Uncas,  with  the  assent  of  Gen.  Wins- 
LOW,  offered  (with  the  men  under  his  cominand)  to  scale 
the  walls  of  the  fort,  which  being  approved  of  by  the 
English  commanders,  Uhcas,  with  about  sixty  picke4 
pien,  in  an  instant  ascended  to  the  top  of  the  fort,  where 
having  a  fair  chance  at  the  enemy,  they  hurled  their 
tomahawks  and  discharged  their  arrows  with  such  sue* 
cess  among  them,  as  in  a  very  short  time  to  throw  them 
into  the  utmost  confusion ;  those  who  attempted  to  es. 
cape  from  the  iort,  were  instantly  cut  in  pieces  by  the 
troops  without— the  enemy  finding  themselves  thus  hem- 
med in,  and  attacked  on  all  sides,  in  the  most  abject 
terms  begged  for  quarter,  which  was  denied  them  by  the 
English— a  great  proportion  of  the  troops  being  noiy 
mounted  on  the  walls  of  the  fort,  they  had  nothing  to  do 
but  load  and  fire,  the  enei|)y  being  penned  up  and  hud- 
dled together  in  such  a  maniier,  that  there  was  scarcely 
a  shot  lost.— This  bleody  contest  was  of  sear  six  hours 


»?«? 


'!<-■■ 


"5 


>->>V; 


•  t 


'OlKi 


— sr— 


continuance,  when,  the  EngUsh  perceiviDg  the  furt  filled 
with  nought  but  dead,  or  inch  at  wera  mortalljr  wounded 
of  the  enemjT)  closed  the  bloody  conflict. 

The  bcene  of  action  at  this  inatant  waa  indeed  such  «a 
could  not  fail  to  aback  the  stoutest  hearted  !->the  huge 
logs  of  which  ihe  fort  was  constructedi  were  completelf 
crimsoned  with  the  blood  of  the  enemy,  while  the  sur- 
rounding woods  resounded  with  the  dying  groans  of  the 
wounded.— The  number  of  slain  of  the  enemy  in  this 
severe  engagement,  could  not  be  ascertained,  i|  waa 
however  immense  ;  of  3000  which  the  fort  was  sup- 
po^  to  contain  at  the  commencement  of  the  action} 
not  300  escaped  !  among  whom  unfortunately  was  the 
treacheroua  Pbiup.    ';. 

Although  the  destruction  of  ao  great  a  number  of  the 
lenemy  was  considered  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the 
English,  yet  it  proved  a  conqu£at  dearly  bought— it  waa 
obtained  at  the  expence  of  the  lives  of  not  only  a  great 
number  of  privates,  but  a  great  proportion  of  their  most 
valuable  officera  ;  amoag  whom  were  Captains  Davkn- 
roKT,  Garbmek,  Johmsom,  Sixlt  and  Marshall— on 
enumerating  their  number  of  alain  and  wounded,  it  waa 
found  as  follows  :•—  .  <,  ;  ,  .  v. 

Of  the  companiet  ecmmandei  by 


m 


Captains  Mosklt, 
Olivbb, 
Gabdker, 

JOHNSOir, 

Davcvport, 
■  '^,      Gallup, 

blXLT, 

Watts, 
Marshall, 

GORAM,  . 

Sachem  Unjcas, 


10  killed,     40  wounded* 


SO 
11 
18 
15 
38 
33 
19 
85 


■■'ft.. 


T«>tAl359     Total  4Qf 


.•H" 


"^.1 


J 


hi 


*      .  li  J 


B 


I 


i| 


0 


>.  ■' 


I    • 


# 


^»l-r 


It 


'  The  Pequod,  Narraganset  and  Nipnet  tribes,  being; 
b]r  the  late  act  ion,  nearly  extctmiDated,  the  frw  that  lur- 
vired  (by  the  direction  of  PniLip)  fled  in  small  partlei 
to  different  parts  of  the  country,  improving  every  oppor- 
tunity that  presented  to  revenge  the  deaths  of  their 
brethren. — On  the  lOth  February,  1678,  about  100  of 
them  surprized  the  inhabitants  of  Lancaster,  (Mass.)  a 
part  of  whom,  as  a  place  of  greater  safety,  had  the  day 
previous  resorted  to  the  dwrelling  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rowl- 
and, this  however  being  constructed  of  dry  logs,  was 
set  Bre  to  by  the  Indians*!  which  the  unfortunate  Eng- 
lish wiihin  being  unable  to  extinguish,  they  fell  victims 
to  the  devouring  flames.->pOn*the  2i9t  the  enemy  attack- 
ed the  inhabitants  of  Medfic'd,  32  oi  yrhom  |they  kiH«4 
and  of  the  remainder  made  captives* 

On  the  2d  March,  the  Indians  still  continuing  theie 
depredations,  two  companies  of  cavalry,  ui>der  the  «om- 
mand  of  Capt.  Piebce  and  Capt.  Watsins,  were  cj>- 
dered  out  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  [defenceless 
inhabitants  of  the  towns  most  dangerously  situated— on 
the  4th  they  marched  to  Pautuxet,  near  where  there 
were  a  considerable  body  of  Indians  encamped,  whom^ 
on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  they  fell  in  with  and  attack- 
ed— the  enemy  at  first  appeared  but  few  in  number,  but 
these  were  only  employed  to  decoy  the  English,  who,  on 
a  sudden,  found  themselves  surrounded  by  more  than 
300  Indiaas,  who,  with  their  tomahawks  and  scalping 
knives,  rushing  furiously  upon  them,  threatened  them 
with  instant  destruction  !— The  English  now  acting  upon 
the  defensive,  although  surrounded  by  five  times  their 
number,  fought  with  their  usual  spirit,  and  were  resolved 
to  sell  their  lives  as  dfsaily  as  possible,  they  were  very 
soon  however  compdillbd  to  yield  to  the  superior  force 
of  their  savage  enemies  ;  but  five  escaped  !— This  victo- 
ry, though  uf  coiibiderable  importance  t»  the  savagti;^ 


■X 


.i^^^: 


*■ 


-39-  ,i„/ 

> 

^he  fire>arms  of  ihe  conquered  falling  into  their  hands) 
cost  them  a  aumber  of  their  bravest  warriors,  100  of 
whom  were  the  proceeding  day  found  dead  upon  ihe 
field  of  action— there  were  in  this  engagement  about  30 
friendly  Incic^ns  with  the  English,  who  fought  like  dei- 
peradoes,  one  of  ihcm  observing  Capt.  Pieicb  unable  to 
stand,  in  const-quence  of  the  many  wounds  he  had  re- 
ceived, for  nearly  two  hours  bravely  defended  him  ;  when 
perceiving  his  own  iminent  danger,  and  that  he  could 
afford  the  captain  no  further  aisistance,  by  blackttig  his 
face  as  the  entmy  had  done,  escaped  unnoticed. 

On  the  25ih  March,  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  and 

burnt  the  towns  of  Weymouth  and  Warwick,  killing  a 

great  number  of  the  inhabi'.antB.— On   the   I  Oh  April 

follovting    they  pillaged  and  burnt  Rchoboth  and  Provi> 

ence.  ,  w* 

On  the  I  St  May,  a  company  of  English  and  150  Mo- 
hegons,  under  command  of  Capt.  Geobce  DKNNisoir» 
were  sent  in  pursuit  of  a  body  of  the  enemy  command' 
ed  by  the  son  of  Miaxtinomi  ;  on  the  8ih  they  met 
with  and  attacked  them,  near  Groton — the  Indians,  ap- 
parently determined  on  victory  or  death,  displayed  an 
unusual  degree  of  courage,  but  the  English  and  Mohe- 
gans  proved  too  strong  for  them,  who  after  destroying 
the  greater  part  with  their  muskets  and  tomahawks, 
drove  the  remainder  into  a  neighboring  river,  where  they 
icon  perished. 

On  the  33d,  Conokchet,  Sachem  of  the  few  scattered 
remains  of  the  Narragansets,  proposed  to  his  Council 
that  the  lands  bordering  on  Connecticut  river,  not  inhab- 
ited by  the  English,  should  be  by  them  planted  with 
corn,  for  their  future  subsistence,  which  being  approved 
of  by  the  latter,  300  of  the  Narragansets  were  despatch- 
ed for  this  purpose— the  GoveriHr  being  apprized  of  their 
intentions,  despatched  three  companies  of  cavalry  to  in- 


■'^^ 


\\ 


■'  I 


*>, 


'■M 


J 


>     M 


t 


II 

H 


[ 


•  >r 


^ 


^40— 


'  !■ 


(fefeept  tliem  ;  about  lOO  of  the  Mohe|;ani,  under  tfi< 
commantl  of  ONx>io,  (the  eon  of  Uncab)  accompanied 
the  English—the  enemjr  were  commanded  by  Coiro*- 
CBET  in  peraoni  who  first  proceeded  to  Seconk  to  pro* 
cure  seed  corn  ;  it  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  this 
place  that  they  were  first  met  with  and  engaged  bjr  the' 
English  and  Mobegans— the  enemy  with  becoming  bra- 
very, for  Q  long  time  withstood  the  attack,  but  being  but 
poorly  provided  with  weapons,  they  were  at  length  over- 
powered, and  compelled  to  yield  to  the  superior  power 
of  their  ene  tes— In  the  midst  of  the  action  Conomc^bt* 
fearful  of  the  issue,  deserted  his  men  and  attempted  to- 
ieek  shelter  in  a  neighboring  wood,  but  being  recognized 
by  the  Mohegans,  they  pursued  hira— Cokomchbt,  per- 
ceiving himself  nearly  overtaken  by  his  pursuers,  to  fa- 
cilitate his  flight  first  threw  away  his  blanket,  and  then 
his  silver  laced  coat  (with  which  he  had  been  presented 
by  the  English  a  few  weeks  previous,)  but  finding  that 
he  could  not  escape  from  his  pursuers  by  flight,  he  plung- 
ed into  a  rivery  where  he  was  even  followed  by  half  a 
dozen  resolute  Mohegans,  who  laying  hold  of  him  for- 
ced him  under  water  and  there  held  him  until  drowned* 
—The  loss  of  the  English  and  Mohegans  in  this  en- 
gagement was  I  a  killed  and  31  wounded,  that  of  the 
enemy  was  43  killed  and  about  80  wounded. 

The  inhabitants  of  New-London,  Norwich  and  Ston^ 
ington,  having  frequently  discovered  a  number  of  the 
enemy  lurking  about  in  small  bodies,  in  the  adjacent 
woods,  by  joint  agreement  voluntarily  enHstcd  them- 
selves (to  the  number  of  300)  under  the  command  of 
Major  Palmbm,  and  Captains  Dknnison,  and  AvxbT| 
who  with  the  assistance  of  the  Mohegans,  and  a  few 
friendly  Narragansets,  Jn  three  expeditions,  destroyed 
nearly  1000  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  ^8th   June  the  Indians  assaulted  and  burnt 


.\ 


j>^  -^v 


m 


ridgeiratcr,  •  nnall  Mttleiiiciit  in  tbe  coloiif  of  Mmm^ 
dinMtti,  fcrty  of  iu  inhihitMrti  fell  fteUmt  to  Mvage 

On  tho  iStli  •  tmftf  oDgt^mtm  took  place  betwceoi 
^  company  of  English  cavalry  and  aboot  300  of  the  ene* 
nty,  oaar  Groton^thc  latter  were  not  perceived  by  tho 
lbrmer»  until  they  were  within  a  few  paces  of  them  (tho 
Indiana  having  concealed  themseltea  in*  the  bushes)  wheii 
suddenly  issuing  forth  with  a  hideous  yell,  the  cavalry 
were  thrown  into  some  confusiont  but  again  fwming  and 
charging  the  coemyt  ihey  fled  in  every  direction ;  tho 
cavalry  in  attempting  to  puriue  themi  were  once  mora 
ambushed }  the  contest  now  became  close  and  severei  the 
Indians  having  succeeded  in  decoying  tbe  English  into  a 
thick'Wood}  attacked  them  with  great  fury  and  success.—^ 
The  commander  of  the  Erfglihh  being  killed*  every  man 
sought  his  own  safety-— of  fo»ty-five«  of  which  this  com- 
pany was  composed,  hwt  thirteen  CKsped  !— the  loss  of 
the  enemy  wost  however,  probably  much  greater; 
^  The  Governor  and  Council  of  Massachusetiaf  colony* 
aware  of  the  danger  to  which  mahy  of  the  inland  settle- 
ments were  escposisd)  by  frequent  incursions  61  the  enemyi 
and  finding  it  extremely  difficult  to  raisers  sufficient  force 
to  oppose  them  in  the  many  parts  to  which  the  fragments 
of  the  broken  tribts  had  resorted,  adopted  the  policy  of 
sending  among  them)  as  spies,  such  Indians  as  could  be 
depended  on  i  which  plan  had  its  desired  effect— these 
Indians  rcpresentiiig  the  force  of  the  English  much 
greater  thaii  it  really  was,  tfld  warning  the  snemy  of 
danger  #hleh  did  not  at  that  time  exist,  deterred  them 
from  acting,  in  tinny  Instances,  on  the  offensive.— One 
of  the  friendly  Indians  returning,  to  Boston  on  the  lOth 
Julff  reported'aV  fallows :—"  that  a  large  number  of  In- 
diana were  embodied  in  a  wood  n^ar  Lancilster,  which 
place  they  imendct  tO  attack  and  burn  in  a  few  days,  that 
F 


■■'  -(K- 


;'     » 


tllili 


;i;!: 


Hii 


ill  11 


-*)L 


4» 


m^ 


# 


# 


— 4t-« 


(hey  had  been  encouraged  to  continue  the  war  with  tBH 
English  by  trenckmtny  from  the  great  lake,  who  had  au^ 
plied  them  with  iii'e>arm$  «nd  ammunition  !"  '^  i*^ 

On  the  receipt  of  thia  important  information,  the  Gov- 
ernor despatched  three  companies  of  cavalry,  und.$r  the 
command  of  Major  Sava«e,  for  the  defence  of  Lancas> 
ter,  who  unfortunately  by  mtataking  the  road  fell  into 
an  ambush  of  about  350  Indians,  by  whom  they  were  in> 
stantly  surrounded— the  English  exhibited  great  presence 
of  mind,  and  repelled  the  attack  of  the  enemy  in  a  very 
heroic  manner ;  the  latter  being,  however,  well  provided 
with  fire  arms,  soon  gained  a  complete  victory  over  the 
English,  whose  loss,  in  thia  unfortunate  engagement 
was  lifty>four !— >the  lose  of  '.he  enemy  could  not  be  aaeer* 
tained,  as  they  remained  masters  of  the  field  of  action. 

On  the  13th  August,  a  party  of  Indians  entered  the 
town  of  Westfield,  and  took  a  number  of  the  inhabitanta 
prisoners,  and  burnt  several  houses.— Three  of  them 
soon  after  made  their  appearance  at  a  house  near  said 
town  and  fired  at  the  man  at  his  door,  who  fell ;  they 
ran  towards  him,  and  one  of  them  stooping  to  scalp  him> 
he  was  saluted  by  the  man's  wife,  with  a  stroke  from  a 
large  hatchet  in  his  back,  which  went  so  completely  into 
his  body,  that  at  three  different  efforts,  she  could  not  dis- 
engage it,  and  the  Indian  made  off  with  it  sticking  in 
him  ;  a  second  Indian  also  made  an  attempt,  when  she, 
by  a  well  directed  stroke  with  a  atick  she  had  got,  laid 
him  on  the  ground }  the  third  then  run,  and  the  other, 
aa  soon  9s  he  had  recovered  his  feet,  followed  the  exam- 
plct  on  which  the  woman  took  her  husband  in  her  arms 
and  carried  him  into  the  house,  where  he  soon  after  re- 
covered* '   '*»* 

On  the  17th,  a  pfirty  of  Indians  commenced  an  attack 
on  Northampton,  but  there  being  a  number  of  Englisb 
aoldiers  therein  stationed,  the  enemy  Were  repuUed*      ^^^ 


111' 


•« 


>V  -."  V; 


V' 


^ 


# 


.^r*' 


»4«— 


> » 


•^n  the  SOiht  t  number  of  tlie  inhabitants  of  Spring- 
fiild  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indiana  aa  thcv  were 
'returning  from  dirine  iervice»  and  although  tw6  ibrmer 
were  provided  with  fire>armSf  the  enemy  succeeded  in 
making  prisoners  of  two  women  and  several  children, 
whom  th%y  soqn  after  inhumanly  tomahawked  and  scalp- 
•d«  in  which  situation  they  were  the  succeeding  day  found 
by  a  party  of  Eu^-Ush,  sent  out  in  pursuit  of  the  ene- 
my—one of  the  unfortunate  women  (although  shocking- 
ly mangled)  was  found  still  alive*  and  when  so  far  recov- 
ered as  to  be  Enabled  to  speak,  gave  the  following  ac< 
<:ount  of  the  fate  of  her  unfortunate  companions,  to  wit  t 
— '( That  they  were  first  conveyed  by  the  savages  to  a 
thick  wood*  where  they  were  severally  bound  with  cords* 
th»t  the  Indians  soon  after  built  a  fire  and  regaled  them- 
aelves  with  what  they  had  previously  stolen  from  the  Eng- 
lish ;  that  soon  after  a  warm  dispute  arose  between 
them»  relative  to  the  prisoners,  each  claiming  the  wo- 
men fov  their  squaws  (or  wives)  that  they  at  length  pro- 
ceeded to  blows,  and  after  beating  each  other  for  some 
time  with  clubs,  it  was  agreed  by  both  parties  (to  pre- 
vent further  altercation)  that  the  women  should  be  put 
to  death,  which  they,  as  they  supposed,  carried  imme- 
diately into  execution ;  the  unfortunate  narrator,  receiv- 
ed a  severe  blow  on  the  head,  which  brought  her  sense- 
less to  the  ground,  and  while  in  this  situation,  was  scalp- 
ed and  left  for  dead  by  her  savage  enemies !" 

The  inhabitants  cf  Sudbury,  with  a  company  of  sol- 
diers, under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Jacobs,  of  Marlbo- 
rough, alarmed  at  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy  (who, 
to  the  number  of  about  SOO  were  encamped  near  tbut 
place)  resolved  to  attack  them  at  night ;  accordingly  on 
the  6th  September,  they  marched  within  view  of  them* 
and  at  night  (as  they  lay  extended  around  a  large  fire) 
approached    them  unperceivcd,   until  within  gun  aliot. 


V   i>  \ 


r 


(■• 

r 

i' 

i;  "     , 

■'■U 

i  , 

p  ■ 

i 

^    1 

■  1. 

•r 

'      I 


i 


I  r 


7 
( 


J 

if 


,.    I 


I 


»<*. 


^} 


!■      <!■ 


..f 


'U 


# 


vlien  they  (piTe  them  the  coalentt  of  their  mrnhete  | 
manjr  of  those  that  remained  unhiirti  being  ettddenlf 
aroaved  from  their  elumber  bf  the  yelli  of  their  woimdf 
cd  brethren,  and  imagining  that  thtjr  were  completolr 
aurrounded  by  the  Engliah  (whom  the  darknesa  of  thf 
night  prevented  their  seeing)  threw  themselves  into  th« 
fit«  which  the  J  had  enkindled,  and  there  perished  ;  bill 
few  if  anf  escaped— in  this  attack  the  English  sostained 
no  loss.  n» 

On  the  Sffth,  a  considerable  bodf  of  the  enemjr  attack- 
fd  the  inhabitants  of  Marlborought  manjr  of  whom  thcf 
fiilled)  ai|d  set  fire  to  their  houses— a  compeny  of  Eng- 
lish who  had  been  ordered  from  Concord  for  the  defeocf 
of  this  place  were  cut  off  bf  the  savages,  and  totalif  de- 
atrojred— two  other  companies  despatched  from  Boaton, 
for  the  like  purpose,  met  with  the  same  fate— it  appear- 
ed that  the  Governor,  on  learning  the  situation  of  the  uu« . 
fortunate  inhabitants  of   Marlborough,    despatched   to 
their  relief,  two  companiea  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tains Waosworth  and  Smith,  who  before  thef  arrived 
at  their  place  of  destination,  were  informed  that  the  aav^ 
ages  had  quit  Marlborough,  and  proceeded  for  Sudbarf , 
(IS  miles  distant)  which  induced  thf  English  to  alter 
their  course  and  proceed  immediately  for  the  latter  plaee 
•—of  this,  it  appeared,  that  the  enemy  had  been  appriaed 
by  their  runners,  and  had  Iain  a  plan  to  cot  them  off  ere 
they  should  reach  Sudbury,  which  thejr  in  the  followiog 
manner  completely  effected— learning  the  course  which 
the  English  would  take,  they,  within  a  tew  rods  thereof, 
stationed  50  or  60  of  their  number  in  an  open  field,  who 
were  ordered  to  retreat  into  a  neighboring  thicket  as 
aoon  as  discovered  and  pursued  by  the  English ;  in  this 
thicket  th^  remainder  of  the  Indians,  to  the  number  of 
SOO,  concealed  themselves,  by  prostrating  tbemselvefc  fiat 
pQ  their  bellies— the  English  en  their  arrival,  espying  th? 


.« 


\   •^" 


>y."v 


■••'t^ 


m 


fodlmt  In  tht  ieMi  and  pretumiitt  tbeoi  to  bt  hut  fcw  In 
number,  pursued  tad  attacked  thenii  wIm>  rtry  mwi  rt« 
treated  to  the  fataf  spot  where  their  treacherous  brcthrea 
faf  concealed  and  p^'cpareil  to  give  their  pttrmers  a  warm 
If  not  a  fatal  reception  i  here  tlicjr  were  cloself  pursued 
bf  the  English,  who  too  late  diacevered  the  fatal  snare 
which  had  been  Uid  for  them ;  in  an  instant  tbef  were 
completely  surroun<!ed  and  attacked  on  all  aides  bf  the 
aavages ;  the  Kngltih  for  sevcrsl  hours  braveljr  defended    ' 
themselves,  bot  nt  length  were  barnc  down  by  numbers  *" 
far  superior  to  their  own-«*thus  felt  the  brare  captain 
WAaswosTR,  and  captain  Skith,  as  well  as  most  of  th# 
troops  under  their  command.  ^ 

»^The  Indians  bordering  on  the  river   Merrimack,  feel* 
ing  thcmselres  injured  by  the  encroachments  of  the  Eng- 
lish, once  more  reaasumed  the  bloody  tomahawk,  which 
|iad  been  buried  for  a  numl^er  of  years.— On  the  1st  No- 
^mber  they  in  a  considerate  foody  entered  the  villages 
of  Chelmsford  and  Wobum,  and  indiscriminately  put  to 
death  every  inhabitant  they  contained,  not  sparing  the 
infant  at  the  breast !— ^n  the  9th  they  burnt  the   houae 
of  a  Mr.  Eamks,  near  Concord,  killed  his  wife  and  made 
captives  of  his  children.— .On  the  15(h  they  took  prison- 
er a  young  woman  (fifteen  years  of  age)   who,   by  the 
family  with  whom  she  resided,  had  been  placed  on  a  hill 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  their  dwelling  to  vratch  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy— the  account  which  the   young   wo- 
man gave  of  her  capture  and  escape,  was  as  follow  :— 
that  **  on  the  morning  of  her  capture,  the  family   hav- 
ing been  informed  that  a  party  of  Indians   ht.d  the  day 
previous  been  discovered  in   a  neighbouring  wood,  she 
(by  their  request)  ascended  a  hill  near  the  hdtase  to  watch 
their  motions,  and  alarm  the  family  if  seen  approaching 
the  bouse;  that  about  noon  she  discovered  a  number  of 
them  ascending  the  hill  in  ^fcat  haste,  thai  she  immcdi- 


m 


^/*' 


■«. 


r  < 


>!  f    I   I   \ 


u 


m 


f  I  , 


1,    f  ( 


•i\ 


\\ 


t 

I 


'ill 
*    . 


li 


\ 


"■  **^'' 


i 

ff 

11 , 

d 

'■'I  ' 

i|i 

\  1', 

1  ''I 

i  - '  ■ 

1'    ■  ; 

1  '    ' 
1    it  . 

1 

1  1 

1 

1  i 

'111 

! 

ft. 

'/■ 

1  1 

■  1             t      ( 

'1      1  i 

i       1 ; 

V'-" 

Liii 

'a'^ 


#» 


-^««- 


Af 


•teljr  thereupon  attempted  to  evade  them  bjr  retirinf  'mp 
to  a  thicket,  bat  that  the  Indians  (who  it  appeared  had 
before  obterred  her)   found  her  after  a  few  momenta 
aearch,  and  compeltrd  her  to  accompanjr  them  to  her 
settlement,  about  40  miles  diitant— it   was  here   thef 
gave  her  to  understand  she  must  remain  and   become 
their  tquaw,  and  dress  and  cook  their  victuals— that  the 
A    remained  with  them  about  three   weeks,  during  which 
9k  time  they  made  several  expeditions  agsinst  the  English, 
T  vMd  retumtd  with  a  great  number  of  scalps—- that  on  the 
^%li|;ht  of  the  6th  December,  they  returned  with  six  hor- 
VmL which  thef  had  stolen  from  the  English,  which  hav- 
ing tymed  into  a  small  enclosure,  thejr  set  out  on  a  new 
expedition— that  she  viewed  this  as  a  favourable   oppor- 
tunity to  escape,  to  effect  which,  she  caught  and  mount- 
ed one  of  the  horsesi  and  making  use  of  a  strip  of  bark 
for  a  bridle*  she  penetrated  a  wild  and  pathless  wood* 
and  arrived  at  Concord  at  seven  o'clock  the  proceeding 
morning,  having  travelled  all  the  preceding  night  to  e* 
vade  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy !"— In  like  manner  did 
one  of  the  children  of  Mr.  Eamxs  (of  whose  capture 
-  mention  is  made  in  the  preceding  page)  escape  from  the 
Indians,  although  but  ten  years  of  age,  he  travelled  six-" 
ty  miles  through  an  uninhabited  wood,  subsisting  on  a. 
crons ! 

On  the  13th  December  a  party  of  Indians  iittacked 
and  killed  several  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bradford.  The 
Governor,  for  the  protection  of  the  defenceless  inhabi* 
.  tants  on  the  Merrimack,  ordered  the  raising  and  equip- 
ping of  four  companies  of  cavalry,  to  the  command  oi 
which  were  appointed  as  captains,  Messrs.  Sill,  Cut- 
ler, HozlloxB  and  Prknticb. 

On  the  2Sd  the  above  troops  proceeded  for  the  borders 
of  the  Merrimack,  and  on  the  36th  they  fell  in  with  a  con- 
siderjkble  body  of  the  enemy   whom   they  engaged  and 


•  * 


m. 


-4^- 


templetely  dcfMtcd.— On  the  9nd  Jinaaij}  I66f,  Cspl. 
PiMTici,  detached  from  the  main  bodjr,  fell  in  with 
and  engaged  about  100  of  the  enerojr  near  Rchobolh, 
whom  he  likewise  defeated)  but  with  contiderable  lost  oi» 
hit  part. 

On  the  5tb,  the  ion  of  the  braTe  Capt.  Holtobk,  of 
Springfieldi  receiving  information  that  a  number  of  the 
enemy  in  amall  bodies  were  skulking  about  in  the  woods 
bordering  on  that  town,  with  twentf  resolute  young  men  ^ 
marched  out  to  attack  them— falling  in  with  a  considera*  ^ 
ble  body  of  them,  an  engagement  ehsucd*  which  though* 
severe  terminated  at  length  in  favour  of  the  English-^ 
the  Indians  being  furnished  with  fire>arms,  were  unwtU 
ling  to  give  ground*  and  would  probably  have  remained 
masters  of  the  field,  had  not  the  English  received  a  re- 
inforcement which  put  them  to  flight — the  loss  of  the 
English  in  thi«  engagement  was  5  killed  and  9  wound- 
ed, and  that  of  the  enemy,  21  killed,  and  99  wounded. 

The  savages  were  no  longer  confined  to  any  particulai* 
tribe,  or  pUCe,  but  in  parties  from  50  to  300,  were  scat- 
tered all  over  the  thinly  inhabited  part»  of  New  England 
—a  considerable  number  of  them  were  yet  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Hadley,  Deerfield  and  Northampton,  where  ' 
they  were  continually  committing  their  wanton  acts  of  ' 
barbarity.— I'he  inhabitan;s  of  the  above  mentioned 
towns,  duly  reflecting  on  the  ganger  to  which  they  were 
daily  exposed,  formed  themselves  into  several  companies 
and  made  choice  of  their  commanders.— 'On  the  2d  of 
February,  receiving  information  that  there  were  near  200 
Indians  embodied  in  a  swamp  in  the  neighberhood  of 
Deerfield,  the  above  mentioned  force  march^  out  to  at- 
tack them ;  arriving  within  view  of  them  about  day- 
break, they  discovered  the  whole  stretched  out  upon  the 
ground  around  their  fire,  wrapped  in  the  arms  of  Mor- 
pheus—the  cavalry  immediately  thereupon  idigbtedi  and 


¥' 


,m 


I 


i   !l 


!1 


J 'If 


I 


I 


ii 


;'» 


1^ 

u 


I 


l»  t 


'I  : 


Mi 


ilj 


ii; 


M 


! 


P 


4&e^  iibrminc:  themMlvet,  ■pproubed  them  wUhio  ^» 
■  tol  shot  before  they  were  ditcovered  by  the  enemy ;  wfab^ 
being  tuddeoly  urouted  from  their  ilumber,  and  Mton* ' 
ished  at  the  unexpected  appearaoce  of  to  many  of  their 
^nemie&t  fe)l  an  ea%y  prey  to  the  English,  who,  without 
the  lost  of  a  man,  killed  130  of  them ;  the  remainder,  aa 
the  only  meaos  of  escape,  hating  plunged  into  a  ri?erf 
irhere  probably  many  of  them  perished* 

Although  the  English  atchieved  (his  action  without  any 
'loss  on  their  part,  they  were  on  their  return  unhappily 
mnbushed  by  about  400  of  the  enemy— the  English  hav- 
•  ing  expended  all  their  ammunition  in  the  late  engage- 
ment, and  being  much  fatigued,  were  now  in  turn  likely 
t6  fall  an  ea»y  prey  to  their  enemies,  who,  with  their 
bloody  knivea  and  tomahawks,  for  the  spa^  of  a6  hour, 
attacked  them  t*ith  the  greatest  success— >not  one  of  the 
English,  it  is  probable,  would  have  survived  this  bloody 
and  unexpected  attack,  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence 
bf  mind  of  their  brave  commander  (Capt.  Holtoke,)^ 
Irho  by  a  stratagem,  succeeded  in  saving  a  part  of  them 
—Capt.  HoLtoKB  had  his  horse  killed  under  him,  and 
at  one  time  was  attacked  by  five  of  the  enemy,  whom 
he  beat  off  with  his  cutlass  ;— >the  loss  of  the  English  in 
this  unfortunate  action  was  5 1  killed  and  84  wounded) 
many  of  the  latter  survived  the  actibn  but  a  fety  days— 
the  defeat  and  destruction  of  the  English  in  this  engage- 
ment  was  much  to  be  lamented,  as  among  the  alaiir 
were  the  heads  of  several  families  who  had  volunteered 
their  services  in  defence  of  their  infant  settlements. 

On  the  lOtb,  several  hundreds  of  the  enemy,  eneodr^ 
aged  by  th|ir  late  succesKy  appeared  before  Hatfield  and 
fired  several  dwelling,  houses  without  the  fortification  of 
the  town— the  fnhabitams  of  Hadley  being  seasonably 
apprised  of  the  situation  of  their  brethren  at  Hatfield,  a 
number  of  them  voltmteered  their  services  and  marcbei 


^9- 

to  their  relief—the  Indians  ai  thejr  were  accuat^itted  to 
do,  on  the  approach  of  the  ^ngliaht  Ujr  flat  0b  their  bel- 
lies until  thef  were  within  bow  shot,  when  partly  rising, 
they  discharg^^  a  shower  of  arrows  Imong  them^  which 
wounded  scTerai  of  the  l£iiglish,  bat  the  latter  bating 
wisely  reierved  their  fire,  now  levelled  their  pieces  with 
the  best  effect  at  the  enemy,  before l^y  had  time  to  ren 
cover  their  legSt  which  killing  a  number  of  them,  the  re* 
maindCi  ^ad  with  great  precipitancy. 

On  the  Sd'r'ebruary  the  Governor  of  the  Colonies  re- 
'ceiving  information  that  the  Indians  were  collecting  in 
great  numbers  near  BroOklBeld,  despatched  Cftpt.  HKXaK- 
MAN,  with  50  men  to  dislodge  them,  who  proceeding  first 
to  Hadley,  was  joined  by  a  company  of  cavalry  front 
Hartford-— on  the  ninth  they  discovered  and  attacked  a 
party  of  Indians  near  Lancaster,  they  killed  fifty  of  them, 
and  took  between  fifty  and  sixty  of  their  women  and  chil- 
dren prisoners. -~.Capt.  Hencbman  on  \m  way  to  Brook- 
field,  discovered  the  dead  bodias  of  several  of  lv5'Coun- 
trymen  half  consumed  by  fire,  who  it  appeared  had  a  fe^i' 
days  previous  fallen  victims  to  the  wanton  barbarity  of 
ihttsaviigesj^ 

The  scattered  remains  of  the  enemy  being  now  so 
completely  harraesed  and  driven  from  place  to  place  by 
the  English,  a  nunaber  of  ihem  resorted  to  tho  we&tern 
country,  then  inhabited  by  the  Mohawks ;  but  the  latter 
being  on  friendly  teiois  with  the  English  and  Dutch,  who 
ivere  settling  among  them,  were  unwilling  tohal'bor  their 
enerhies,  and  consequently  attacked  a  considerable  body 
of  them  on  the  5lK  March  ;  the  engagement  was  a  severe 
one — the  fugitive  Indians  being  furnished  Wi'.h  firearms, 
repelled  the  attack  of  the  Mohawks  with  a  becoming  spi* 
rit,  but  at  length  were  Overpowered  and  completely  de- 
fpated-^ithe  loss  o^  both  sides  was  very  great. 

On  the  lOih,  the  Indians  took  a  Mr.  Wxllet  prisoner 


.^^ 


n 


i* 


u 


I     f      ' 
Is    . 


t 

,.11 
■  i 

III 


'»   ( 


1  \\u  (i 

t:,    i\l 


Hi  I  !i 


'  1 

v' 

.  5  i    : 
1    * 

1 

! 

liJ 

'i-it' 


f 


--.#0— 


,  ;l.5  . 


■I,     |i 


I 


5^car  S*anaejr,  Ma<^  after  cutiiiig  off  hi»  ear*  and  nouSr 
set  him  pt  Jibertyt  in  which  situation  he  retarnec!  nearlj 
exhauMed  with  loss  of  blood  to  his  family.-- On  the  20ihi 
a  negro  man  who  had  been  for  several  months  a  priiou- 
er  ^ong  thetn,  made  his  escape  and  returned  to  tlie 
English,  to  whom  he  gave  the  following  information,  to 
wit :— .that  the  enemy  were  concerting  a  plan  to  attack 
1'aunton  and  the  villages  adjacent— that  for  this  purpose 
Iherewere  then  embodied  near  Worcester,  1000  of  ths.a, 
one  hundred  of  whom  were  furnished  wi'K  lire-aims — 
that  a  few  days  previous  to  his  escep**  a  scouting  parly 
arrived  and  brought  in  with  thetn  twenty  head  of  horn- 
ed caule  and  seven  humijin  «calps !— -To  fru&lrale  the  iti- 
tenlions  of  the  enemy,  the  Governor  defi|}atched  three 
lompaiiies  of  rav'lry  for  the  defence  of  Taunton. 

The  Enghijh  ot  Connecticut  colony  (alihougb  but! 
troubled  with  th«  enemy  since  the  destruction  of  the  Pe« 
quods)  were  willing  to  afford  their  brelhren  all  the  assis- 
tance  poisible,  In  a  prptt acted  and  bloody  war  with  their 
Jinmerciful  foes— they  accordingly  furnished  three  com- 
panies of  cavalry,  who,  under  the  command  of  the  experi- 
enced Major  Talcott,  oh  the  2d  April  proceeded  to  the 
westward,  in  search  of  the  enemy— on  the  6th  thejPfeU 
in  with  aUacked  and  defeated  a  considerable  body  of 
them— appsreiiily,  by  the  special  direction  of  divine  pro- 
vidence, Maj.  Talcott  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of 
lladley,  in  lime  to  preserve  that  town,  and  save  its  unfor- 
tunate inhabitants  from  total  destruction  !— the  etiemy 
to  the  number  of  500,  were  on  the  eve  of  entering  the 
town  when  ihey  were  met  by  the  Major,  with  the  troops 
under  his  command  ;  this  unexpected  relief  animating 
liie  few  inha'uitauls  wt»ich  the  town  contained,  they  has- 
tened to  the  assistance  of  their  brethren,  who  at  this  mo. 
mcnt  were  fic-riousiy  engaged  with  the  whole  body  of  the' 
enemj— -viciory  for  a  long  time  appeared  uncerlam— tl\« 


*»■ 


>^'^^M- 


■   r 


—51— 


enemy  at  the  comm^rncement  of  the  action  having  galnei 
aome  signal  advantages,  victory  for  a  considerable  lime 
appeared  likely  to  decide  in  their  favor—fortunately,  the 
inhabitants  of  Hadley  having  for  their  defence  -a  few 
weelis  previous,  procured  from  Boston  an  eight  pounder, 
it  veas  at  this  critical  period  loaded  by  the  women,  and 
being  mounted,  was  conveyed  hy  them  to  the  English, 
which  (being  loaded  with  nails,  small  shot.  Sec.)  was  by 
them  discharged  with  the  best  effect  upon  the  enemyi 
who  immediately  thereupon  fled  in  every  direction— thus 
it  was  that  the  English  in  a  great  measure)  owed  the 
preservation  ot  their  lives  to  the  unexampled  heroism  of 
a  few  women ! 

The  Governor  and  Cnnncil  of  the  United  Colonies, 
taking  under  serious  cou  -:■  :  tion  the  miraculous  escape 
of  the  inhabitants  of  H.  '.,',  trorn  total  destruction,  and 
the  late  success  of  the  arms  of  the  English  in  various 
parts  of  the  country,  appointed  the  27ih  day  of  August, 
1669,  to  be  observed  thror  hout  the  Colonies  as  a  day 
of  Fuilie  Thanksgiving  anu  Praise  to  Alkigbtt  God  • 
—this,  it  may  be  well  to  observe,  was  the  commence- 
meA  of  an  mnual  custom  of  our  forefathers,  which  to 
the  present  day,  is  so  religiously  observed  by  their  de- 
scendants throughout  the  New- England  states. 

On  the  Sd  September,  the  Connecticut  forces  under 
command  of  Major  Talcott,  and  Captains  Denvison 
and  Newburt,  proceeded  to  Narraganset  in  quest  of  the 
enemy,  who  to  the  number  of  about  300  had  a  few  days 
previous  been  discovered  in  a  piece  of  woods  near  Mount 
Hope— the  English  were  accompanied  by  their  faiihiu' 
friend,  Uncas,  with  iOO  Mohegans  under  his  command. 
—In  the  evening  of  the  6tb,  they  discovered  the  In" 
dians  encamped  at  the  foot  of  a  steep  hill,  on  which  Ma- 
jor  Talcott  made  arrangements  for  an  attack— the 
Mohegans  were  ordered  by  a  circuitous  route  to  gain  tho 


■■'I 


m 


■'IflJ/:: 


1 


t: 


r? 


i 


1 
1 1 


I 


I 


'm:  j|  ] 


■    ■(  i 


ii 


# 


•prnmit  of  the  bill)  to  prevent  the  flight  of  the  enemj-rs 
two  corapanies  of  cavalry  were  ordered  to  flank  them  oi| 
the  right  and  lefty  while  Major  TalcotTi  with  a  com* 
pany  of  foot}   atationed   '    .aself  in  their  rear— having 
thi|8  diyposed  of  his  forct&f  a  ijgnal  gun  waa  fired  for 
the  Mohegaqs  to  commence  the  attack,  which  thej  did  * 
*  find  with  such  spirit  (accompanied  bj  their  savage  yells) 
that  Ibai!  the  enemy  been  renowned  for  -.heir  bravery  the)?, 
jpiist  have  been  to  the  highest  degree  appalled  at  so  un. 
expected  an  onset !— after  contending  a  few  momenta 
with  the  Mohegans,  they  were  attacked  on  the  right  and 
left  by  the  cavaii-y,  who  with  their  cutlasses  made  great 
havock  among  them  i  they  were  .h(^weiMta|^wiIUng  tq 
give  ground  until  they  had  lost    niearly  ^SP^half  their 
number,  when  they  attempted    a  flight  to  a  swannp  in- 
their  rear,  but  here  they  were  met  by   Maj.  Talcott*. 
with  the  company  of  foot,  who  gave  them   so  warm  a. 
reception  that  they  once  more  fell  back  upon  the  Moher 
gana,  by  whom  they  were  very  soon  overpowered,   and 
would  have  been  \t  holly  destroyed   had  not  Maj.  Tai^- 
^OTT  humanly  interfered  in  their  behalf,  and  made  pris. 
oneis  of  the  few  that  remained  alive— among  the  latter 
was  their  leader,  a  squaw,  commonly  termed  the  queen 
of  N&rraganset ;  and  among  them  an  active  young  fel-^ 
low  who  begged  to  be  delivered  .  into  the   hands  of  the  *■ 
Mohegansy  that  they  might  put  him  to  death   in   their 
awn  way,  and  sacrifice  him  to  their  cruel   genius   of  re- 
venge in  which  they  tfo  much  delighted  !•— The  Engli^hy 
although  naturally  averse  to   acts  of   savage   barbarity, 
were  not  in  this  instance  unwilling  to   comply   with  the^ 
voluntary  although  unnatural  request  of  the  prisoner,  as 
it  appeared  that  he  had  exultingly  boasted  in  presence  of. 
the  Mohegans  of  having  killed    19  of  the   English    with^,' 
his  gun,  and  after  charging  it  for  the  30th    (there    be- 
ing no  mere  of  the  latter  within  reach)  he  levelled  at  i| 


■;■•■(*«■ 


X. 


'    s 


mm-  W'.IW 


11 


^^(oiiegan}  whom  he  killed^  which  completingi  bi»  imnN 
ber,  he  was  willing  to  die  by  their  hands  !•— the  Mobe- 
g«ot  «Gcordinglf  begiin  to  prepa/e  for  the  tiag^cal  e* 
VCDt-i-fornung  ihemtelves  into  a  circle  (admitting  aa 
inany  of  the  English  at  w$re  disposed   to  witnesa  their 

«  tragical  proceedings)  the  prisoner   was  placed  in  the^. 
centre,  when  ope  of  the  MoheganSf  who  in  the  late  en-    ■ 
fagement  had  lost  a  brother,  with  hia. knife  cut  off  tli«'> 
prisoners  eartt !  then  hii  note  I  and  then  the  fingers  of 
each  hand  1— and  after  the  relapse  of  a  ftiw  moments^  i'V 
^ug  out  bis  eyes  and  filled  their,  sockets   with   hot  em^ 
ben)  1 !-— (iltbough  the  few  English  present  were   over- 
f:oiQe  with  n  view  of  a  scene  so  sliocking  to  humanity, 
yet  the  prisoner  (set  far  from  bewailing  his  f^iVe)  seemed 
to  anrp^s  his  tormentors  in  expressions  of  joy  I— wheiv/ 
nearly  exhausted   with  the  loss  of  blopd,  and  uuuble 
longer  to  stand,  his  executioner  closed  (he  tragic  scene         -^ 
by  beating: outhis^braios  with  a  roinahawk ! 

The  few  Indijii;^:  thaV  now  remained  in  the  neighbor- 
|ipod  of  PlymQuth  colony,  being  in  a  st^'.e  of  starvation, , 
they  surrendered  themselves. prisoners  to  the  English;^ 
pne^  of  whoB^  being  recognized  as  the  person  whD  had  a., 
few  days  previous  inhumanly  murdered  the  daughterof  a  ^ 
Mr.  Clarke,  was,  by  order  of  the  Governo'-,  publicly" 
executed;  the  remainder  were  retained  and  treated  ai^ 
prisoners  of  war*— By  the  assistance  oi  one  of  the  pri- , 
soners,  who  8erved,jis  guide,  SO  more  of  the  enemy  were  .       .  #' 
pn  thje  proceeding,  day  surprized  and  taken  prisoners  by  ^ 
the  Engliiih.  ~^ 

The  troops  under  the  command  of  Major  Bbadford,  , 
and  Captains  Mosslt  and  Bxattle,  on  the  ISih  Sep-,     ; 
tiypber  surprized  :  and  took   ISO  of  the  <:neniy  pri-.oners  ; 
near  Pautuxet,  among  whom  wss  the  squaw  of  the  cele- 
brated PaiLip— andon  the  day  propeeding,  learning  that 

.'  |he  enepy  in  coBsiderable  bodies  were  rowing  about  it)^ 


}  * 


\ 


iJp^ 


a 


,»•....  "■'" 


<iii 


1 


r 


ilM  woodi  Mtr  DedbaiDi  Maj.  BRAsroks  despatched 
Capt.  Brattlb  with  fifty  men  to  attack  them  ;  whoi  the 
dsf  folloningi  fell  in  with  and  engaged  about  100  of 
them ;  as  hatchets  were  the  o<ily  weapons  with  which 
they  were  providedt  they  r-  .«  \  A  a  feeble  defence^  and 
were  aoon  overpowered  b^  iLv  £nglish|  who  took  74  of 
them  prisoners,  the  remainder  having  fallen  in  the  action 
—the  loss  of  the  English  wa*  two  killed  and  five  wound- 
ed—the  above  party  was  commanded  by  a  blood  thirsty 
Sauhem,  called  Pomh  am,  renowned  for  his  bodily  strength, 
which  exceeded  that  of  any  of  his  countrymen  ever  met 
with— he  bravely  defended  himself  to  the  last,  being 
wounded  in  the  breast,  and  unable  to  stand,  he  seized 
one  of  the  soldiers  while  in  the  act  of  dispatching  him 
with  the  butt  of  his  gun,  and  by  whom  he  would  have 
been  strangled,  had  he  not  been  fortunately  rescued  by 
one  of  his  comrades. 

A  general  famine  now  prevailing  among  the  enemy 
(in  consequence  of  being  deprived  of  an  opportunity  to 
plant  their  lands)  numbers  were  daily  compelled  by  hun- 
ger to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  to  the  English, 
among  whom  was  a  Nipnet  Sachem,  accompanied  by  180 
of  his  tribe. 

On  the  13th  October,  Capt.  Chvrcb,  with  fifty  sol- 
diers and  a  few  friendly  Indians  under  his  command,  at- 
tacked and  defeatei  a  party  of  the  enemy  near  Provi- 
dence—and on  the  day  following  (conducted  by  Indian 
guides)  discovered  a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy  en- 
camped in  a  swamp  near  Pomfret ;  a  friendly  Indian  first 
espying  them,  commanded  them  to  surrender,  but  the 
enemy  did  not  appear  disposed  to  obey,  being  sheltered 
by  large  trees,  they  first  discharged  their  arrows  amoilf 
the  English  and  then  with  a  terrible  yell  attacked  them 
with  their  long  knives  and  tomahawks-— the  lEnglish 
meeting  with  a  much  warmer  reception  than  wRat  they 


,  ,  .       i.y 


•>. 


..f  .  -V  •^vy.ir, 


X' 


txptcted)  gA?«  groandt  but  being  rttUed  by  their  old  witf 
experienced  coramaoderiCapt.  Cbuach,  thejr  mthed  up* 
on  them  with  luch  impetuotity  thAt  the  enemy  -were 
thrown  into  confusion  uid  dislodged  from  their  coverte— 
the  action  continued  aboii^.iiD  hour  and  a  quarter— the 
Englilh  Bad  7  men  killedi  aad  U  wounded,  among  whom 
was  their  brave  commander^  who  received  an  arrow 
through  hit  left  arni'^the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  33  kil- 
led) and  between  60  and  70  wounded. 

On  the  34th,  information  was  forwarded  the  Governor 
and  Council  that  the  famous  Pmilip  (who  bad  been  for  a 
long  time  skulking  about  in  the  woods  near  J^ount-Hope> 
much  disheartened  by  the  ill-success  of  his  countrymen) 
was  the  morning  preceding  discovered  in  a  swamp  near 
that  place,  attended  by  about  90  Seaconet  ImU&na ;  on 
which  Lhe  brave  Capt.  Chukch,  with  his  little  band  of  in- 
vincibles  were  immediately  despatched  in  pursuit  of  him 
— Capu  CBtiBca  was  accompanied  as  usv  by  a  number 
of  the  Mobegans,  and  a  few  friendly  Seaconet  Indians— 
on  the  'S'th  they  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
swampt  ^^^^  the  border  of  which  he  stationed  several  of 
the  Mobegans,  to  intercept  Philip,  in  case  he  should  at. 
tempt  an  escape  therefrom*  Capt«  ChuhcHi  at  the  head 
of  bts  little  band,  now  with  unconquerable  resolution 
plunged  into  the  sv/amp,  and  wading  nearly  to  his  waist 
in  water  discovered  and  atvacked  the  enemy—- The  In- 
dians were  nearly  100  strongt'but  being  unexpectedly  at- 
tacked they  made  no  resistance  but  tied  iu  every  direc. 
tlon,  the  inaccessible  state  of  the  swamp  however  pre- 
vented the  English  from  pursuing;  them  with  success— 
their  dependence  was  now  upon  their  friends  stationed 
withoi|t— nor  did  it  appear  that  those  faithful  fellowH  suf- 
fered so  good  an  opportunity  to  pass  nnimproved— -the 
report  of  their  muskets  convinced  Capt.  Cauacu  ihut 
they  wei^  doijig  their  duty—iin  6QfiJGUmau;»o  of  Mrbicb>> 


11 


."^^ 


aaw-'^' 


t 


kg  #i« Ui^ MtmilVtT "pWiknted  with  the  htki of  Kti^ 

f*Hitt>f  it  appeaKd  In  iitttnipting:  to  flf  fram  Mt  par* 
ivet^  irk*  ireognized  b)r  ont  of  tlte  RnglUh  who  had 
hlM  vtationed  with  the  Mohegtbs  to  intercept  him,  aoit 
allHiM)iM  he  let eiled  his  p\cte,  bot  the  primiftg  being  on- 
hyfttitiately  tret  attd  preventing  the  discharge  thereof,  the 
canning  Saehem  would  yet  have  encaped^  had  not  one  ot 
the  br&ve  «on»  of  Umcas  at  this  instant  given  htm  the 
iiOtitents  of  hit  mtksket !— >the  ball  went  directly  through 
hh  heart  !~~4knd  thob  fell  by  the  hapda  of  a  faithftil  Mobe- 
gah,  the  famous  PMii.ll> !  who  was  thcf  (injector  and  in- 
itigator  of  a  war  whieh  not  only  proved  the  cauae  of  hie 
own  deatruction,  bdt  that  of  nearly  all  his  tribe,  once  the 
must  numerous  of  any  inhabiting  N6w>England. 

It  was  at  this  importfent  instant  that  the  English  were 
made  wUnesscs  of  a  remarkable  instance  of  savage  cus- 
tbm-— Uncas,  on  leafhing  that  PntLip  had  fallen  by  the 
hand  of  one  of  his  tribe,  urged  that  agreeable  to  their 
custom,  he  had  an  undoubted  right  to  the  body,  and  a 
ri^ht  to  feast  hikliself  with  a  piece  thereof,  which  thi 
English  not  objecting  to,  he  deliberately  drew  his  long 
knife  from  his  girdle  and  wi  it  detached  a  pit:ce  of  flesh 
froiii  the  bleeding  body  of  Punap  of  {.bout  one  pound 
Weight,  which  he  broiled  and  eai,  in  the  mean  time 
declaring  (hSit  *<  he  had  not  for  ttiariy  moons  eaten  any  ihi$ijg 
with  so  good  an  oppetiie  !**  The  head  of  PditiP  was  de- 
uched  frofn  his  body  and  ij^t  (by  Cnpt.  Chukcb)  ^o  Bus* 
ton,  to  be  presented  to  the  GoTefrior  and  Council,  as  a 
iraltiable  trophy. 

The  few  hostile  Indians  that  now  remained  within  the 
United  Colonies,  conscious  that  if  so  fortunate  as  to  t\ 
tade  the  vigilanee  of  the  English,  they  must  soon  *^iUt 
victims  to  the  previiling  fafhihe,  Bed  with  their  famlliea 
far  to  iht  irest^aind ;  the  EngKsh  were  disposed  ritiit 


i  U 


1l 


.,^f 


I    - ./ 


-4f«. 


id  faeiliut*  tban  pre?eot  their  flight :  baviag  been  for  t 
liumber  of  years  engaged  in  a  dettractive  and  hloodf 
war  with  them»  thtf  ware  willing  that  the  few  that  re- 
mained  alive  should  escape  to  a  coontrft  so  far  distantf 
that  there  was  no  probabilltj  of  their  tvtuming  to  reas« 
•ume  the  bleodf  tomahawk  !•— impressed  with  this  Idop* 
and  that  the  enemjr  were  completely  estetroinatedi  thef 
lirere  about  to  bury  the  hatchet  and  turn  their  attention  to 
agricaliural  pursuits,  when  by  an  express,  they  were  ii' 
formed  that  the  natives  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  country 
(Province  of  Maine)  had  unprovokedly  attacked  and  kil- 
led a  number  of  the  Engliab  in  that  quarter. 

To  quench  the  flame  which  appeared  to  be  enkindling 
Hn  the  east,  the  Governor  despatched  four  companiea  of 
cavalry  to  the  relief  of  the  unforiunaie  inhabitants*— The 
«nemy  (who  were  of  the  Kennebeck  and  Amoscoggin 
tribes)  Unt  attacked  witt)  unprecedented  fury  the  de^ 
fenceless  inluibitants  settled  on  Kcnnebcck  river,  the 
most  of  whom  were  destroyed  or  dispersed  by  them* 

On  the  9d  November,  about  700  of  the  enemy  attack- 
ed with  their  accustomed  fury  (accompanied  by  their  sav- 
age yells)  the  inhabitants  of  Newchcwannick,  an  English 
settlement  situatetl  9  few  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
i'wer  Kennebeck-»before  they  had  fully  accomplished 
their  hellish  purpose,  they  were  surprised  by  the  troops 
sent  from  Boston,  between  whom  a  most  bloody  engage- 
ment now  ei»oe4'— the  Indians,  encouraged  by  their  ntim* 
hers,  repelled  the  attack  of  the  English  in  so  heroic  a 
manner,  that  the  latter  were  very  soon  thrown  into  dis- 
order and  driven  out  of  town,  where  they  again  formed 
faced  about  and  in  turn  charged  the  enemy  with  uDcon> 
querable  resolution  !— the  contest  now  became  close  and 
•evMre,  the  savages  with  their  terrific  yells  dexteriously 
burled  their  tomahawks  among  the  English,  while  the 
latter  with  as  much  dexterity,  attacked  aivd  mowed  them 
H 


.<^ 


(I 


!' 


I    ^^ 


It  -f 


i 


11  ■■ 


iii 


I  ',; 


\V 


-Irt- 


ir 


down  with  their  cutla«iet !— >each  wert  apparently  deter*- 
ikiined  on  victory  or  death  !— the  English  at  one  mdmenff 
unable  to  withstand  the  impetuosity  of  the  aaYages,  would 
give  gfound—at  the  next,  the  latter  hard  pushed  by  the 
cavalry,  would  fall  back—thus  for  the  space  of  two  hourn 
did  victory  appear  ballancing  between  the  two  contendinfp 
parties—the  field  of  action  was  covered  with  the  alainr 
while  the  adjacent  woods  resounded  with  the  shrieks  and 
<;roans  of  the  wounded ! — At  this  critical  juncture  th«'' 
English,  when  on  the  very  point  of  surrendering,  were 
providentially  preserved  by  a  stratagem— in  the  heat  of 
the  action,  Major  Bradford  despatched  a  company  of 
cavalry  by  a  circuitous  route  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the 
rear,  which  had  the  mobt  happy  cfTect— the  enemy  sus- 
pecting this  company  a  reinforcement  of  the  English, '  ■ 
lied  in  every  direction,  leaving  the  English  masters  of  the 
field— thus,  after  two  hours  hard  fighting,  did  the  English 
obtain  a  victory  at  the  expence  of  the  lives  of  more  than 
half  their  number  !— their  killed  and  wounded  amounted 
to  ninety-nine  !— the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  ascer- 
tained, it  was  however  probably  three  times  greater  than 
that  of  '.he  English. 

The  day  proceeding  this  bloody  engagement,  a  lieu- 
tenant with  13  men  were  sent  by  the  commander  to  the 
place  of  action  to  bury  their  dead,  when  they  were  a 
few  rods  therefrom,  unexpectedly  attacked  by  about  100 
of  the  eneroy«  who  had  lain  in  anibush— ^the  lieutenant 
ordered  his  men  to  reserve  their  fire  until  they  could  dis- 
charge with  the  best  effect  upon  the  enemy,  by  whom 
they  were  soon  surrounded  and  furiously  attacked  oo  all 
aides ;  the  savages  yelling  horribly,  brandished  their 
long  knives  in  the  air,  yet  crimsoned  with  the  biood  of 
their  countrymen— the  brave  little  band  however  remain- 
ed'firro  and  undaunted,  and  as  the  savages  approached 
tbcnii  each  taking  proper  aimi  discharged  with  so  gooj^ 


«('.  ,:,.  if 


If 


^ 


—59-^ 


effect  u|Km  them,  thit  the  Indiani,  •raued  tt  the  imtan. 
uneouB  destruction  of  to  manjr  of  their  comradet,  flc4 
in  everjr  direction— the  English  tuitained  no  lost. 

On  the  5th  the  enemy  Miccessfulljr  atucked  the  in«^ 
habitants  of  the  village  of  Cascoi  30  of  whom  Ihej  kil* 
led  and  made  captives  of  the  family  of  a  Mr.  Brackbti 
who  on  the  7th  in  the  following  manner  made  their  es- 
cape :<— the  Indians  on  their  return  to  their  wigwarms, 
learning  that  a  detached  party  of  their  brethren  had  at* 
tacked  with  success  and  plundered  the  village  of  Arow- 
aicki  to  enjoy  a  share  of  the  spoil  hastened  to  join 
themt  leaving  the  prisoners  in  the  care  of  two  old  men 
and  three  squaws—Mr.  Brackbti  whose  family  consis- 
ted of  himself,  wife,  three  small  children  and  a  negro 
lad,  viewed  this  as  x  favourable  opportunity  to  escape* 
to  effect  which,  he  requested  the  negro  lad  to  attempt 
an  escape  by  flight,  which  (being  uncommonly  active) 
he  easily  effected  ;  the  plan  of  Mrc  Bracket  had  now 
its  desired  effect,  as  the  old  men  pursuing  the  negro,  left 
him  and  his  family  guarded  only  by  the  three  squaws, 
whom  (being  intoxicated)  he  soon  dispatched  and  re- 
turned the  day  proceeding  with  his  family  to  Casco» 
where  the  negro  lad  had  arrived  some  hours  before.  ^^ 

On  the  I5tb  the  Indiana  attacked  the  dwelling  houses 
of  a  Capt.  BoNiTRoN,  and  Maj.  Philips,  situated  on 
the  east  side  of  Casco  river— they  having  seasonable  no- 
tice of  the  hostile  views  of  the  enemy  the  family  of  the 
former  (as  a  place  of  greater  safety)  had  resoritd  to  the 
hou^e  of  the  latter  a  few  moments  previous  to  the  at- 
tack.—The  savages  6rst  communicaiing  fire  to  the  house 
of  Capta  BoNiTHON  next  proceeded  funuusly  to  attack 
the  dwelling  of  Maj.  Pat L.1  PS,  in  which  there  were  a- 
bout  twenty  personti,  by  whom  it  was  most  gallantly  de- 
fended—the enemy  had  their  leader  and  a  number  of 
their  party  killed  by  the  fire  of  the  English— dispairing 


iti, 


',: 


r. 


i  i, 


I 


I 


i  < 


a 


: 

I 


;»l 


(1.1 
I 


{ 


I 


»  5 


I     f 


•r  lakiof  tlM  hoMe  bf  MMvll  iber  adoplMl  •  b«w  fli% 
to  commmicate  ire  (iMreto— 4bt)r  proeorvd  ■  e«nUg« 
on  which  they  etected  a  Maget  in  front  of  which  waa  • 
barricador  rendered  bttikt  proof,  and  to  which  long 
poles  were  attachedi  nearly  SO  feet  in  length,  to  th* 
end*  of  which  were  aAsed  every  kind  of  combmtibie, 
anch  as  birch  rindt,  straw,  pitch  pine,  kc— the  IndiaM 
were  sheltered  by  the  barricador  from  the  fire  of  the 
English  while  they  approached  the  walla  of  the  houat 
with  their  carriage—the  English  were  now  on  the  eve 
of  despairing,  when  fortunately  one  of  the  wheela  of 
the  carriage  being  brought  in  contact  with  a  rock,  waa 
tnrned  completely  round,  which  exposed  the  whole  bodf 
of  Indians  to  their  ^re  !— this  unexpected  opportunitf 
was  improved  with  the  greateat  advantage  by  the  Eng- 
lish, who  with  a  few  rounds  aoon  dispersed  the  aaemy 
with  no  inconsiderable  lots. 

The  day  following  the  Indians  attacked  and  set  fire  t^ 
the  house  of  %  Mr.  WakblT)  whom  with  his  whole 
family  they  mnrdered— a  company  of  English  apprised 
of  i;heir  dangerous  situation  marched  to  their  relief»  but 
arrive'1  too  late  to  afTord  them  aBftistance<^they  found 
the  house  nf  the  unfortunate  family  rcdtKed  to  ashes,  »• 
mong  which  they  discovered  their  daaogled  bodies  half 
consumed  by  fire  i 

The  savsges,  emboldened  by  their  late  success,  on  the 
SOth  attacked  a  small  settlement  on  Piscataqua  river,  and 
succeeded  in  murdering  a  part  and  carrying  away  the  re- 
mainder of  the  inlnd)itants  into  captivity—as  an  instance 
of  their  wanton  barbarity,  it  should  foe  here  mentioned, 
that  after  tomahawking  and  scalping  one  of  the  unfortu^ 
nate  women  of  the  above  place,  they  bound  to  the  dead 
body  her  little  infant,  in  which  situation  it  was  the  pro- 
ceeding day  discovered  by  the  English,  attempting  l^ 
dravr  noisrishmcnt  from  its  mother's  breast}  ^ 


%- 


«• 


^•l~ 


fj 


*■■, 


Tbt  GovtffMT  tml  Council  oT  the  UrHmI  rnltJn, 
coBMiving  it  ih«ir  dutjr  it  poisiblc  lo  put  •  final  Moi^  to 
the  r«v«ge«  of  the  enemy  in  the  cait,  and  to  prcveiu  tb« 
Either  *ff«kioii  •£  innocem  blood,  doapuchcd  Major 
Wallis  mnI  Mtfjov  BnAsvotD,  wUh  nine  com{Mnica  un- 
Aft  their  comfaand*  le  daairoy  <*  root  ooo  branch"  ih« 
comnKMi  «neni]ft«-OB  the  lat  December  (hey  arrived  in 
the  Bcighborltood  f>f  Kenncbeckf  near  where  they  wc ra 
infbnned  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  wore  encamped-— 
on  the  morning;  of  the  3d,  they  fcil  In  with  aod  aitack'^d 
them*— the  enetnyj  who  were  about  800  airoog,  appeared 
dispoftcd  to' maintain  tlieir  grtitind,  they  (boght  with  all  ibe 
ftiry  of  savaget,  and  even  ae«aiMI  th«  Engii»b  from  tit* 
tope  of  lofty  trees  which  they  aeeended  6ir  that  purpose  i 
they  were  poaseeted  of  but  few  fire-armt|  but  hurled 
their  tomahawks  with  inconoaieabte  eaactness,  and  check- 
ed the  progrees  ol  the  cavalry  wkh  loi>^  spears  !->-victo« 
ry  for  a  lon^  time  rentained  dou<RA>l«*tiM  ground  b«in|^ 
covered  witli  aoww*  greatly  retarded  tlie  prog^oa  of  tho 
English,  wi|o  wouki  probably  have  met  with  a  defeat  had 
not  a  fresli  coapany  of  infantry  arrived  in  timo  to  change 
the  fortune  of  the  day— these  having  remained  inactive 
M  a  body  of  reserve,  the  commander  found  himself  un- 
der the  neceaaity  of  calling  liar  ihvir  aid-pthe  enemy 
disheartened  «t  the  unexpected  arrival  of  an  additional 
force,  now  fled  with  precipitancy  to  the  neighboring 
woodi'^but  v*ery  ftvt  of  them  however  escaped,  mote 
than  300  of  them  remained  dead  upon  the  field  ot  action, 
«nd  double  that  nuanber  mortally  wounded  |—the  loss  of 
Ihe  Englieh  waa  55  killed,  113  wounded.-— This  engage> 
ment,  wtiich  proved  a  decisive  f>ne,  was  of  the  gveat- 
eat  importance  to  the  English — the  great  and  arduous 
work  was  now  completed — the  few  rcmaininj?  Indians 
who  inhabited  the  eastern  country,  now  expressed  a  wish 
to  make  peace  with  tht  English,  and  to  bury  the  bloody 


}  i 


#( 


I 


f 


Pi 


yi 


M 


;  i 


i    i 
I    ' 


f-i 


litCdiet*-4heir  request  was  cheerfully  complied  withi  m4 
they  continued  ever  after  the  faithful  friends  of  the  Eng- 
lish. 

From  this  important  period  (which  >eing  the  5th  day  , 
or  December,  16^9)  ought  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the 
now  flourishing  States  of  New-England  to  receive  their 
dale.— -It  was  a.  this  period  that  her  hardy  sons  quit  the 
sanguine  field,  and  exchanged  their  implements  of  death 
for  such  as  were  better  calculated  for  the  tillage  and  cnlti* 
vation  of  their  farmt><<-The  forests  with  which  they 
were  encompassed,  no  lunger  abounded  with  fierce  and 
untutored  savages— the  war-whoop  was  no  longer  heard 
.->the  greater  part  of  the  Indians  that  survived  the  many 
bloody  engagements)  had  sought  peace  and  retirement  far 
westward—the  prisoners  which  the  English  had  captur- 
ed, were  liberated  upon  condition  of  resorting  to,  and  re* 
maining  with  them— they  proved  faithful  to  their  pro* 
inise ;  they  took  possession  of  the  country  bounding  on 
the  great  lakes,  and  in  possession  of  which  their  descend- 
ants remain  to  the  present  day— a  description  of  whose 
manners  and  customs  will  be  found  in  the  proceeding 
chapter* 

v^  We  shall  close  this  with  ft  few  remarks  relative  to  the 
state  and  ludicrous  opinions  of  the  Indians,  in  New- 
England^  when  first  visited  by  our  Forefathers,  and  of 
their  rapid  depopulation  since  that  period. 

We  cannot  evtn  hazard  a  conjecture  respecting  the 
Indian  population  of  New-England^  at  the  time  of  its  first 
settlemeit  by  the  English.  Capt.  Smith,  in  a  voyage 
to  this  coast  in  1614,  supposed  that  on  the  Massachusetts 
island,  there  vere  about  3000  Indians-^all  accounts  a* 
gree  that  t'le  sea  coast  and  neighboring  islands  were 
thickiy  inhabited* 

Three  years  before  the  arrival  of  the  Plymouth  colo- 
ny, a  very  mortal  sicknesS}  supposed  to  have  been  th^ 


*( 


plague,  or  perhaps  the  jrellow-feTert  raged  with  greMf 
violence  among  the  Indiana  in  the  eastern  parts  of  New- 
England*  Whole  towns  were  depopulated.  The  living 
were  not  able  to  bury  the  dead  :  and  their  bones  wAe 
found  lying  above  ground  many  years  after.  The  Maa- 
sachusetts  Indians  are  said  to  have  been  reduced  from 
30,000  to  300  fighting  men.  In  1633,  the  am  all*  pox 
swept  off  great  numbers  of  the  Indians  in  Massachu- 
setts. 

In  1763,  on  the  island  of  Nantucket,  in  the  space  of 
four  mouths,  the  Indians  were  reduced  by  a  mortal  sick- 
ness, from  330  to  85  souls.  The  hand  of  Providence  is 
notable  in  these  surprising  instances  of  mortality  among 
the  Indians  to  make  room  for  the  whites.  Comparitive^ 
ly  few  have  perished  by  wars ;  and  the  descendants  of 
the  few  that  were  not  driven  to  the  westward  by  the 
English,  waste  and  moulder  away  and  in  a  manner  un- 
accountable disappear.  .V 

The  number  of  Indians  in  the  state  of  Connecticut  in 
177iwasone  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty>three; 
but  their  number  is  now  doubtless  much  lessened.  The 
principal  part  of  their  population  in  this  state  is  at  Mohe- 
gan,  in  the  county  of  New*London — these  are  the  de- 
scendants of  ths  Mohegans,  of  whom  frequent  mention 
ia  made  in  the  foregoing  pages  as  being  very  serviceable 
(under  the  command  of  Uncas)  to  the  English,  in  their 
many  engagenntuv^  with  the  natives.— The  Mohegans 
have  ever  exhibited  great  reverence  fur  the  descendants 
of  their  royal  Sachem.—' Ahcr  the  death  of  Ukcas,  his 
body  was  conveyed  (by  his  request)  to  Norwich,  and  there 
interred  in  the  neighborhood  of  one  of  his  forts— this, 
spot  was  selected  by  him,  previous  to  his  death,  and  it 
was  his  dying  request  that  the  whole  family  of  Uncas 
should  be  there  buried ;  a  request  which  has  been  strict- 
ly complied  with  by  the  Mohegans ;  whO)  although  the 


w 


■>«N='. 


^- 


■,  / 


4*- 


^■'1^' 


diftUnet  is  Mven  mHes  from  their  own  biiryia|(.grotttki, 
have  ind  contititie  to  deposit  tiicre  the  deioendaiiM  of 
their  revered  Sachem. 

The  mimber  of  Indians  in  Rhode-Iiland  in  1T83,  WM 
(miy  five  hundred  and  twenty-five.  More  llian  half  of 
thebe  live  in  Charleston,  in  the  county  of  Washington.— 
In  1774,  th«  number  of  Indians  in  Rhode-Island  wasone 
thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-two ;  so  that  in  nine 
years  the  decrease  was  nine  hundred  and  fifty  sevem-^* 
We  have  not  been  able  to  ascert^n  the  exact  »tate  of  the! 
Indian  population  in  Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire* 
In  1784,  there  was  a  tribe  of  about  forty  Indians  at  Nor- 
ridgewallC)  in  the  Province  of  Maine,  with  some  few  other 
scattering  remains  of  tribes  in  other  parts ;  and  a  num< 
ber  of  towns  thinly  inhabited  round  Cape  Cod. 

When  the  English  first  arrived  in  America,  the  Indians 
had  no  time  nor  places  set  apart  ior  religious  Worship.— 
The  first  settlers  in  New-England  were  at  great  pains  to 
introduce  among  them  the  habits  of  civilized  life,  and  to 
instruct  them  in  the  Christian  religion.  A  few  years  in- 
tercoqrse  with  the  Indians  induced  Ihem  to  establish  sev- 
eral good  and  natural  reguhtions; 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Elliot,  of  Roxbury,  near  Boston,  whd 
has  been  styled  the  great  Indian  apostle^  with  mnch  labour} 
learned  the  Nniic  dialect  of  the  Indian  languages.  He 
published  an  Indian  grammar]  and  preached  in  Indian  to 
several  tribes,  and  in  1664,  translated  the  bible  and  sev- 
eral religious  books  into  the  Indian  language.  He  relates 
several  pertinent  queries  of  the  Indians  respecting  ttie 
Christian  religion.  Among  others,  whether  Jesus  Christ, 
the  mediator  or  interpreter,  could  understand  prayer  in 
the  Indian  language  ?  It  the  father  be  bad  and  the  child 
good,  why  should  God  in  the  second  commandment  be 
offended  witb  the  child  \  How  the  Indians  came  to  dif^ 
fer  so  much  from  the  English  in  the  knowledge  of  God 


V 


•     ( 


^ 


JL    t 


^ 


Hk 


^4 


.     fc<       .>J»^fiu«. 


•nd  JesQs  Chriit,  lince  thejr  all  fpnmg^  ftoiri  one  fattier 
Mr.  Elliot  was  indefaiigable  in  his  labours,  and  travel* 
Jed  throogh  all  parts  of  Mafsacbosetts  and  Plymoutllf 
colonies,  ai  far  ta  Cape  Cod*  The  colenjr  had  such  d 
veneration  for  him,  that  in  an  act  of  the  General  Assem* 
biy  relating  to  the  Indians,  they  express  themtelves  ihu<,* 
"  By  the  advice  of  the  said  caagistratet}  and  of  Mr.  El- 
liot." ' 

Concerning  the  religion  of  the  untaught  natives  of  Jf^evf* 
England^  who  once  held  a  plurality  of  deities,  af'er  the  ar- 
rival of  the  English,  supposed  there  were  nnlf  three,  be- 
cause they  saw  people  of  three  kinds  of  complexions,  vix» 
English,  Negroes,  and  themselves* 

It  was  a  notion  pretty  generally  prevailing  among  ihem^' 
tRat  it  wan  not  the  same  God  made  them  who  made  ub ; 
bat  that  they  ivere  created  after  the  white  people  ;  and  it 
is  probable  they  supposed  their  God  gained  (iume  special 
skill,  by  seeing  the  white  people  made,  and  so  made  them 
better ;  for  it  is  certain  they  looked  upon  themselves,  and 
their  methods  of< livings  which  they  say  their  God  ex- 
pressly prescribed  f^r  them,  vastly  preferable  to  the 
white  people  and  their  methods.  > 

With  regard:  to  a  future  st«te  of  existence,  many  of 
them  imagined  that  the  chichuvg,  i.  c.  the  shadow,  or 
what 'survived  the  body,  would  at  death  go  scuihwardi 
and  in  an  unknown  but  curious  place— viouid  enjoy-  some 
kind  of  happiness,  such  as  hunting,  feasting,  dancing,  and 
tiie  like^  And  what  they  supposed  would  contributci 
muah  to  their  happiness,  was^  that  they  sboujd  there  ncv* 
er  he  weary  of  those  entertainments.  ^.  «'«  ^ji  ;!>:,«  -  > 
»  The  natives  oi  New-England  believed  not  only  a  plu. 
sality  of  Guds,  whomadaand  governed- the  several  na« 
tion»  of  the  wH>rid  ;  but  they  rttade  deities  of  every  thing 
l4iey  imagined  to  be  great,  poweiful,  beneficial,  and  hurt* 
^  to  mankind ;  yet  tbof  oonceivtd<  an  Almighty  Being) 
I 


"Mir^ 


„t«Vu. 


I '  1 


!  i 


t^i 


i.wk'^iit« 


Imbi  thtf  called  Kichtav,  who  at  first,  according  W 
l)ttir  tradiiioni  mide  a  man  and  a  woman  out  of  atonct 
l»ut  upon  come  diahke  deatroycd  ihenr  egain,  vrd  thtii 
Siadc  another  couple  out  of  a  trccy  ficm  ^hom  dtarcnd> 
td  all  Ui«  nationa  of  the  earth }  but  how  tlty  came  to  b«  . 
acAtiered  and  dispersed  into  countries  »o  rt  mote  from  one 
tDotber  the;|r  could  not  tell.  They  btlie«td  their  Su* 
preme  God  to  be  a  good  beinRt  and  paid  a  sort  of  ac- 
|,notr!edgement  to  him  for  pltnty,  victory  and  othel'  Una* 

its. 

The  immortality  of  the  aoul  was  universsl'y  bellcfed 
among  them*  When  good  men  died,  they  said,  their 
aoula  went  to  Kicbtav,  where  they  met  with  thei» 
friends*  and  enjoyed  all  manner  of  pleasures;  i»hen  tht  ' 
wicked  died,  they  went  to  Kicbtav  also*  but  uere  com* 
manded  to  walk  away ;  and  so  wander  about  ia  restkM^ 
discontent  and  darkness  forever. 


JHjs?  ' 


ivWNE^*  -f'^t"^  •^• 


»«•«< 


^*#AS  ;**V'  »H-.5   »*<■'•  ,r 

0  "v-^- 

'-          ,/i.r%^. 

-i^ir 

''\   ■    ^  ;V< 

CHAP.  IV. 

•■(-.v.rv  ****»*« 

im 

PF  THE  DIFFERENT  TRIBES  OF  INDIANS  /M 

-         MABITING  T£E  WESTERN  COUATRT, 


•  >.*■*: 


<^; ;  WE  shall  now  speak  of  the  Indians  who  occupf 
the  interior  of  America.— They  are  the  descendants  ^f 
Show  who  once  inhabited  the  sea«coasts,  and  who  wero 
driven  by  the  English  (as  mentioned  in  the  precedirg 
chapt*'-;«  %r  to  the  westwerdt  so  that  but  few  of  iheif 
deace.vtiants  are  now  to  be  found  within  less  than  iwo  or 
three  hundred  miles  of  the  sea :  for  though  many  of  them 
have  been  instructed  in  the  knowledge  of  christtianity, 
•nd  districts  of  land  have  been  allotted  them  in  aeveral 
ot  the  British  colonies,  where  they  have  been  formed  in* 
to  aocietica  i  yet  it  has  been  found  that  in  proportion  •§ 


% 


—•7-. 


■  ,..4 : 

«- 


ccupy 
»t»  lit 

vera 
edirf 

iheif 
wo  or 

them 
anit7, 

veral 

din* 
Bonat 


lA«f  Itf  J|7  their  tneiant  eoitonii,  in4  eMiHinii  to  11^ 
■lanaert  of  civilised  life,  che3r  dwindle  away,  citlMr  b«« 
<«Aus«  th«  change  ii  prejudicial  to  their  cofl«titatioiMi.'J|  *■ 
btcaufe  when  sett'ed  amongnVe  £h(|N4h  :%f  hatfUW.^^' 
opporunitiea  of  procnrip|t'»piritiiatt«  It^uort, '  bf;<iir|(((j 
¥^jth  aexes  are  in  general  inordinaicljr  fond ;  vcrf'tTtilt 
•4re  being  ^ver  taken  to  prevent  those  who  ars  inclined 
to  take  advantage  of  them  in  tradet  from  baioly  intosi- 
4ating  them,  for  that  inFamous  purpose  t  thia  haa  a  pow> 
•tTui  effect  on  their  constitutions,  and  aoon  proves  fatalt 
prodicing  diseases  to  which  thcf  were  formerly  strangers* 
Thus  where  a  few  ytiars  ago  there  were  considerable  aet- 
llementt  of  them,  tbeir  name  \%  alimost  forgotten ;  and 
those  who  aJU  remain,  have  for  the  most  part,  joined 
Ihemselvea  toother  nations  in  the  interior  part.of  tKe 
•ountrf ,  on  the  banks  of  the  lak  js  and  rivers. 
^  The  Indian*  in  Canada,  and  to  the  aouth  of  it,  are  tail 
and  straight  beyond  the  proportion  of  most  other  na- 
tions I  their  bodies  ar«  strong,  but  it  haa  been  observed 
that  thia  is  a  atrength  rather  auited  to  endure  the  exer- 
cise of  the  chase*  than  much  hard  labour,  by  which  they 
.  are  soon  consumed ;  they  have  generally  supple  limbs, 
and  the  smallest  degree  of  deformity  ia  very  rarely  seen 
nmongsi  them.  Their  features  art  regular^  their  com- 
|»Iexioii  bomewbat  of  a  ci^^'^r  color,  or  a  reddish  brown ; 
Iheir  hair,  which  is  long,  black,  and  lank,  ia  as  strong  aa 
Ihat  of  a  horse.  They  carefully  eradicate  the  hair  from 
•very  part  of  (he  body  except  tht  headf  and  >  «ere  they 
confine  it  to  a  tuft  at  the  top ;  whence  an  erroneous  idea 
lias  much  prevailed,  that  the  men  of  thia  country  are  na> 
rurally  destitute  61  beards  ;  but  it  is  unquestionable  ihrt 
it  i»  only  an  artificial  deprivation. 

They  generally  wear  only  a  bhnk;t  wrapped  abont 
Ihem,  or  a  shirt,  both  of  which  they  purchase  of  the  Eng- 
llfb  tr^«rhs  when  the  Curopeani  §rst  came  among  ibeni 


V 


I 


' '  f! 


i 


^-\ 


I 


« 


%. 


■# 


% 


i(0^f  fottnd  iMne'iiatlona  entirelf  niktd»  lift^lwfa  irith 
«  coftne  cotton  cloth,  irove  bjr  theniselvc%'  #und  their 
iiaikt ;  but  in  the  northern  parts  their  v  ho»le  bodict  wci« 
In  winter  coveted  with  tkins. 

The  Huron  Indians  possess  a  Tciy  pleMMlf  and  ferfile 
Country  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  lake  vrhich  ht&^  the 
tame  name.  Half  a  century  ago  thejr  w^ re  very  mmttt* 
•fouS)  and  cnuld  raise  six  ot  seven  hundred  «¥atrrfor«.  hvi 
they  have  suiiseted  grei.t'y  fiom  the  attack*  oi  neighbor" 
•ing  tribes.  They  differ  in  their  manners  from  any  of  th<i 
Indian  tribes  bv  v^rhich  they  are  suriounded.  They  build 
regular  house? v  which  thi&y  <  over  with  bark,  and  are  con- 
sidered as  the  most  wea  « >y  Indiana  on  the  coniinentt 
liavtog  not  only  many  hdrse<.«^  but  '^on^e  b!«ck  caitle  and 
lurilie*  They  likewise  raise  ujyA'  corn,  no  that  after  pro- 
viding for  iheir  own  wants,  ihtf  arc  ene.bled  to  barter  thi9 
Temidnder  wi;h  other  ir:bes.  Their  country  extends  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  eastward  of  the  li«kfe^  4>vt  is  iiar- 
l^wer  in  the  contrary  direct  ion  s  the  soil  is  iiol>cxc«cdc(l 
by  &nir  in  ihis  part  of  the  world :  the  timber  is  tall  and 
beautii\u,  the  wood!)  abautid  with  game,  and  abundance 
of  fish  tfis^y  be  obtained  from  the  rivers  and  lakes ;  so 
that  if  it  wu^:  well  ciiUi-'nted«  the  land  would  equal  that 
on  any  part  oi  the  sea  coast  of  North-America.  A  mii- 
aionary  of  the  order  of  Carthusian  friars,  by>  perroissioe 
of  the  bishop  of  Cunada,  resides  among  them.  *»«^  *»»■  # 
,  Ihose  tribes  of  Indians  which  inhabit  the  l)iliAii<  if 
lakes  Cham  pi  uin,  George,  and  Ontario,  were  formerly 
called  Iroguoi.v,  but  have  since  been  Lnown  by  the  name 
of  '■^  the  five  Mohawk  nations ;"  and  **  the  Mohawks  of 
Canada  ;'*  the  former  are  called  OndAdagoes.  Oniades, 
Seneca?,  T  scaaovits,  and  Troondock ;  these  fought  on 
the  side  of  the  English  in  the  contest  tor  territory  with 
France ;  the  Cohnawabgans  ^nd  St.  Francis  Indiuns 
joined  the  French.        ?  i^  ^  ;    e  ;  :i-*i;»;<*w. 


•a^ 


^\. 


\ 


^    -% 


'^wrfli*  ||*c«rH»dg«  i»hich  we  have  of  the  Xril'i»n«  further 

to  the  Au  W.  as  far  af  bejroad  43*  N.  latitude,  i«  chiefly 

*  <(Jtlf,fne»J  from  the  very  worthf  prortncial  officer  Major 

Ca.«vba<,  tvho  travelled  into  those  parta,  In  the  ;ear  176^, 

SlxA  wb<>\  ,>'acid  manners  and  artless  sinceri'jr  iouldnot 

,  is'A  of  r:    ..amending  him  to  men  whom   nature  alone 

'^>  bad  instructed.     He  visited  twelve  nations  of   Ir.dians, 

«mong  which  the  following  appear  to  be  the  most  cnn<>id- 

.«eraiblr;  irhv  Chipcwaf«  who  dwell  to  (he  southward  of 

f  take  siiiperiort  and  the  Oitawaws  ;  (he  Winntbags  lo  the 

W.  of  Uke  Micbigiin,  who  with  the  Suuldes,  and  (.)  ti« 

gj^iimicr*  occupjr  the  whole  eatent  of  country  from  the 

-■  luke  lo  the  Miaaiasippi,  below  43"  N.  b'iitide.  wiitre  the 

^Ousconsin  nver  discharges  itself.     The  Nandcwes&e,  the 

%  most  numeroua  and  extended  Indian  nation,  inhabit  the 

H  country  on  the  W*  of  tfa;  JMis^isaippii  oo  the  borders  of' 

%  Louisiuna*        • 

1^      The  Indiana  in  general  are  atrangera  to  the  passion  of 

.  t  jealouay  ;  and  the  most  profligate   of  their  young  men 

:;  very  rarely  attempt  the  virtue   of  marritd   woman,  nor 

II  do  such  often  put  themselves  in  the   way  of   soltcitutiont 

«  although  ihe  Indion  women*  in  general,  aie  armorous, 

«  •nd,  before  marriagei  not  less   esteemed   for  gratifying 

i  their  paasionik— 4t  appears   to  have  been   a   very    preva* 

^  lent  custom  with  the  Indians  <)f  this  country,  befoie  ihef 

v  became  acquainted  with  the  Europeans,   \9  compliment 

a,  atraagets  with  their  wives  ;  and  the  custom  still  prevails, 

#  not  only  among  the  lower  rank,,   but,  even  among   the 

%  KhxiU  JieraselveSr  who  consider   auch   an  offer   as    the 

'^  freafteat  prooi  of  courtesy  they  can  give  a  stranger.    "'^\;; 

The  men  are  remark  Uile  ior  their  indolence,  on  which    ^ 

'!-'■  they  even  seem  to  vaiuK  themselves  ;    saying  that  labour 

would  degrade  them*  and  belongs  solrly  to  the   women, 

^  vhile  they  are  fiormed  only  fur  war,  hunting  and  fishing  ; 

it  is,  however,  their  business  to  make  arms  for  hunting 


N 


; 


fi 


— ro— 


■     M    ! 


•nd  lines  for  flshing ;  to  fiirm  thtir  eaMtey  aad  btlM 
Ihtir  houieii ;  but  ihey  frequcniljr  inak«  th«  women  u* 
r»i  ihcm  in  the  e.  benideft  attending  to  all  dommtie  i^ 
fairs,  and  cuMvatinR  the  land.  Thtj  have  a  method  of 
ligliing  up  thttir  huts  with  torchcS}  made  of  the  aplintert 
cut  fiom  (he  pine  or  birch  tree. 

'Ih^  Induiis  have  £;eneratljr  astonishing  patience  and 
eqianimny  of  mindi  with  the  command  of  everf  pa«» 
ftion  ex  ept  revenue.  They  bear  the  moat  sudden  and 
•un  xiiecicd  raiitruriune  with  calmness  and  c  >mposare} 
w  Utuut  uuering  a  word,  or  the  least  change  of  counted 
tiaii'-t*  Kvcn  <i  prisoner,  who  knows  not  whether  h« 
niuy  not  in  a  few  hours  be  put  to  the  most  cruel  deathi 
•eeni  entirely  unconcerned,  and  eats  and  dr'  ""*  with  at 
much  cheeriulness  as  tho^e  into  whose  hand  it',  l.&i,  hU 
len.  Tiieir  resolution  and  courage  under  '  3ck^<;?iir^  %.?1 
pain,  is  really  astonishing.  Even  when  unde>'  iL<:  i!>h<i>fili^- 
inj;  torture  to  which  prisoners  are  frequently  exposed, 
they  will  not  only  make  themielves  cheerfuli  but  pro* 
vok':  and  initate  their  tormentora  by  most  severe  re- 
proaches* 

Thc-y  are  grave  in  their  deportment  upon  se/'ous  oe- 
casions,  observant  of  those  in  company,  respccttiii  to 
the  old  ;  of  a  temper  cool  and  deliberate,  by  which  they 
nre  never  in  haste  to  speak  before  they  have  we'l  thought 
of  the  matter,  and  sure  that  the  person  who  spoke  be- 
fore them  has  finished  all  that  he  had  to  say.  la  thei» 
pviblic  councils,  every  mart  is  heard  in  his  turn,  accord* 
ing  its  his  years,  his  wisdom,  or  his  services  to  his  conn* 
try,  have  ranked  him.  Not  a  whisper,  nor  a  murmer  is 
heard  fi  om  the  rest,  while  he  speaks ;  no  indecent  com- 
mendations, no  ill  timid  applause.  The  young  attend 
for  their  instiuction  ;  for  here  ihey  learn  the  history  of 
their  nation,  are  animated  by  those  who  celebrate  the 
wan.ke  aciiooH  of  their  ancestors ;  are  taught  whaf;  is 


"    t 


(|c  tbt«i«tt  ol  tbtir  couDtr]r»  «M  Low  to  cultivatt    >n4 
furtuc  iu 

^  Hospitalitj  it  exercised  among  them  with  the  utmou 
^ncrotitjr  and  good  will.  Their  houses,  their  prott- 
tiooa,  even  their  young  women,  are  pre«entrd  to  a  guebt* 
To  tbobc  of  their  own  nation  they  are  liktwisie  vt-ry  hu' 
i^anc  and  beneficent.  If  any  of  ihem  »urrerc1  ill  in 
buntingi  if  his  harvest  faila,  or  his  h<>use  in  burnt,  ho 
fee  la  no  other  effect  of  his  misfortune,  than  its  givnuf 
him  an  opportunity  of  experiencing  the  benevolence  and 
regard  of  hia  countrymen,  who,  frr  that  purpose,  have 
Aimoat  every  thing  in  common.  But  to  the  enemiei  ut 
his  country,  or  to  those  who  have  privately  oif^rndtd  him, 
the  native  American  i^  implacaVic.  Me  never  indeed 
makes  use  of  oaths,  or  indecent  expressions,  but  cruelly 
Conceals  his  sentimenta,  till  by  trenchety  or  surprise  he 
can  gratify  his  revenge.  No  Itngth  of  time  is  sufficient 
to  allay  his  resentment  {  no  distance  of  |ilace  is  great 
enough  to  protect  the  object ;  he  crosses  the  a'eepest 
roounaina,  pierces  impervious  forests,  aiid  traverses  the 
most  hideous  deserts  ;  bearing  the  inclemenry  of  the 
aeasons,  the  latigue  of  the  expedition,  the  extremes  of 
hunger  and  thirst,  with  patience  and  rheeifulness,  in 
hopea  of  surprising  his  enemy,  and  exercising  upon  him 
the  most  ahocking  barbarities.  When  these  cannot  ba 
effected,  the  revenge  is  [eft  as  a  legacy,  transferred  from 
feneration  to  generation  from  father  to  son,  till  an  op* 
portunity  offera  of  taking  what  they  think  ample  satis* 
fkctioti*  To  such  extremes  do  the  Indians  pr  h  their 
friend  hi|^,  or  their  enmity ;  and  such  indeed  in,  in  gene* 
ralf  the  character  of  all  uncivilized  nations.  They  how* 
tver,  esteem  nothing  so  unworthy  a  man  of  sense,  as  a 
peevish  temper,  and  a  pronenefts  to  a  sudden  and  r  5h  an* 
fer. 
Qa  tbeotb*"  bind,  they  arc  high'r  sensible  of  the  uiil* 


n 


.' 


i 


!^ 


i 


m 


!■    S 


!   ' 


:'  , 


,\     ■.^^- 


%. 


■^ 


ity  ind  pIco^uTcs  of  Trrendihlp;  fbr  etcli  of  tlHm^  it  i  « 
ceriuii)  age,  niokct  choice  of  tome  or.;;  .wa^ly  oftheMni^fci 
standing  in  lire  to  be  their  motl  intimate  and  botom 
friend  i  these  two  enter  into  mutual  engagement*,  bjf 
which  ihcy  oblige  themselves  to  brave  any  dargtr  and 
run  any  li'^quc,  to  aisisi  khv'  support  each  o.her.  Th:« 
attachment  is  even  carrie  l  so  far  as  to  ove^rcome  the 
tear  of  death,  which  they  consider  only  as  a  temporary 
separatior.  being  persuaded  that  they  shall  meet  and  be 
united  in  Irit.  >dtthip  in  he  other  world,  never  to  be  tepa- 
r  jied  more  ;  anu  ti.^  i  .here  they  shall  need  one  another's 
assiistance  as  well  a*  here. 

It  does  not  appca'*  (hat  there  is  any  Indian  n?tion  that 
has  not  some  sense  cf  h  deity,  and  a  kind  of  superstiiioua 
religion.     Their  ideas  of  the   nature  and  attribates  of 
God  are  vcty  obscure,  and  some  cf  them  ab:>urd,  though 
they  co'iceive  ot  him  as  the  Great  Spirit,  and  imagine 
that  his  more  immediate  residence  is  on  the  islands  of  the 
great  lakes      They  #cem  to  have  some  idea  that  there 
are  spirits  of  a  higher  and  more  excellent  nature  than 
man  ;  and  suppobing  them  to  be  every  where  present, 
frequently  invoke  them,  «nd  endeavor  to  act  sgreeabib  t(r 
their  desireit.     They  likewise  imagine  tha.  there  is  an 
evil  spirit,  who  they  say  is  always  inclined  to  mis  hiefi 
and  bears  grea(.  sway  iu  the  creation;  this  indeed  is  the 
principal  object  of  their  devotions ;  they  generally  ad* 
drees  him  most  heartily,  beseeching  him  to  do  them  nv 
harm  :  but  supposing^the  others  to  be  prop'iious,  and  et- 
«r  inclined  to  do  goodi  they  intreat  those  spirits  to  bestovr 
blessings  upon  them  and  prevent  the  evil  fpirit  from  hurt- 
ing them>     Major  Carvkr  relates  that  one  of  the  most* 
considerable  chiefs  amon^  the  Ottawaws  with  wtiom  h^* 
remained  a  nighty   aft  attending  him  to  his  canoe-  thai 
next  morning,   A'ith  great  6o!cmnity,  and  in  an  audabl« 
voice  offered  up  s  tervcnt  pt-eycr)  as  be  entefjed  hiscanoci 


**. 


K  tHit  ike  Great  Spirit  would  faror  him  with  a  prmper* 
out  TOjrtge  {  that  he  would  give  him  an  unclouded  ekf* 
and  imooth  waten  bjr  dayt  and  that  he  mtght  lie  down  by 
night  on  a  beaver  blanket,  enjoying  utiintcrrupted  sleep 
and  pleasant  dreams  {  and  also  that  he  might  find  contin- 
ual accurlty  under  the  great  pipe  of  peace."  £o  procure 
the  protection  of  the  good  spirit,  they  imagine  it  necea* 
sary  to  distinguish  themselvrs,  and  that  they  must  aboye 
all  other  attainments,  become  good  warriors,  expert  hun- 
ters, and  steady  marktmen. 

''  Their  priests  oAen  persuade  the  people  that  they  have 
revelations  of  future  events,  and  are  authorised  to  com* 
mand  them  to  pursue  such  tnd  such  measures.  They 
also  undertake  to  unfold  the  mysteries  ot  religion,  and  (o 
Botve  and  interpret  all  their  dreams.  They  represent  the 
other  world  as.  a  place  abounding  with  an  inexhaustible 
plenty  of  every  thing  desirable,  where  ihey  shall  enjoy  the 
most  full  and  e'A'iuisite  gratification  of  ail  their  senses.— « 
This  is  douttlefi.  ihe  motive  that  induces  the  Indians  to 
meet  death  v  'th  boch  indifference  and  composure  ;  nont 
of  them  being  in  th:  least  dismayed  at  the  news  (tiat  he 
has  but  a  few  hours  or  minutes  to  live,  but  with  ijcgreat- 
C4t  intrepidity  sees  himself  upon  the  brink  of  bein^Apa- 
rated  from  all  terrestrial  things,  and  with  great  serenity 
talks  to  all  around  him :  thus  a  father  leaves  his  dying 
advice  to  his  children,  and  takes  a  formal  leave  of  all  hif 
friends* 

They  testify  great  uidlfference  for  the  productions  of 
jirt ;  when  any  curious  piece  of  mechanism  is  shown  them, 
they  say,  "  It  ii  pretty,  I  like  to  look  at  it,"  but  express 
no  curiosity  about  its  construction.  Such  however  is  not 
their  behavior  when  they  are  tpid  of  a  person  who  dis- 
tinguishes himself  by  agility  in  running ;  is  well  skilled 
In  hunting ;  can  take  a  most  exact  aim  ;  work  a  canoe 
•long  a  rapid  with  great  dexterity ;  is  skilled  in  all  tha 


l» 


(■ 


*  ■  ) 


I. 


i- 


'r 


i 


ill 

i 

if 

t 

> 
[  : 

f 

\ 

^^^. 


# 


•rtt  which  their  itetUhf  mode  of  earryirg  on  •'  wer  i«» 
ca|\jible  vf;  or  it  acute  in  diiroverinf*  the  «itu«tion  of.  a 
countrjTi  and  can*  without  a  Ruida  pur'^ue  hi*  proper 
courie  throuRh  a  vast  Inrett,  and  support  hunger*  tbiritt 
and  fatigue  with  invincible  firmnetf ;  at  »ucK  a  relation 
their  attention  i»  aroused ;  thejr  listen  to  the  interesting 
tale  with  delight,  and  express  in  the  atrongest  terma 
their  esteem  for  so  great  so  wonderful  a  man* 

They  generally  bury  their  dead  with  great  dccencyf 
and  deposit  in  the  grave  such  articles  as  the  deceased  had 
made  the  greatest  use  of  and  been  most  attached  to }  as 
his  bow  and  arruws«  pipes,  tobaccot  he.  that  he  may  not 
be  in  want  of  any  thing  when  he  cornea  to  the  other 
country.  The  mothers  mourn  for  their  children  a  long 
time,  and  the  neighbours  make  presents  to  the  father  x 
and  he  in  return  gives  them  a  feast.  gi^ 

Every  band  has  a  leader  who  bears  the  title  of  Sachem 
or  chief  warrior,  and  is  chosen  for  his  tried  valor  and  skill 
in  condueting  war ;  to  him  is  entrusted  all  military  ope- 
ration, but  his  authority  does  not  extend  to  civil  affairs, 
the  pre*eminence  there  being  given  to  anolheri  who  pos- 
aessea  it  by  a  kind  of  hereditary  claim,  and  whose  assent 
is  necessary  to  render  valid  all  conveyances  of  land,  or 
treaties  of  whatever  kind,  to  which  he  affixes  the  mark 
of  the  tribe  or  nation.  Though  these  military  and  civil 
chiefs  are  considered  as  the  heads  of  the  band,  and  the 
latter  is  usually  styled  king,  yet  the  American  Indiana 
consider  themselves  as  controlled  by  neither  civil  or  mir<« 
itary  authority  :  every  individual  regards  himself  as  free 
and  independent,  and  would  never  renounce  the  idea  of 
liberty  ;  therefore  injunctions  conveyed  in  the  style  of  a 
positive  command,  would  be  disregarded  and  treattd  with 
contempt.  Nor  do  their  leaders  assume  an  ascendancy 
repugnant  to  these  sentiments,  but  merely  advise  what  is 
accessary  to  be  donC}  which  is  bufiicient  to  produce  tbt 


«f* 


U 


%- 


ichem 
Hkill 
ope- 
airs, 
poi- 
Bcnt 
d,  or 
ark 
civil 
the 
iant 
inir^ 
free 
ea  of 
of  a 
with 
ancf 
at  is 
lh« 


pBoro|M  and  effectual  cxecation,  never  producing  a"' 
aittrmar. 

Their  great  council  !•  composed  of  the  headi  of  tribes 
and  2ami!ics,  with  such  whose  capacity  has  raised  them' 
to  the  same  degree  of  consideration.   They  meet  in  a 
house,  built  in  each  of  their  towns  for  that  purposei  and 
alto  receive  ambassadors,  to  deliver  them  an  answer,  to 
sing  their  traditionary  songs,  or  to  commemorate  the 
dead*    In  these  councils  they  { ropose  an  such  matters  as 
concern  the  state,  and  which  have  been  already  digesttfd 
in  the  secret  councils,  at  which  none  but  the  head  men 
assist.     The  chiefs  seldom  speak  much  themselves  at 
these  general   meetings i  but  entrust   their   sentiments 
with  a  perioD  who  is  culled  their  speaker,  or  orator,  their 
being  one  of  this  profession  in  every  tribe  or  town  ;  and 
their  manner  of  speaking  is  natural  and  easy,  their  words 
strong  and  expressive,  their  style  bold,  figurative,  and  la* 
/coni^,  whatever  is  told  tending  either  to  form  the  judge- 
ment or  rouse  the  passions.  j:'^ '    ^: 
<ri  When  any  business  of  consequnce  is  transactef)  they 
appoint  a  feast  upon  the  occasion,  of  which  aImo^t  the 
whole  nation    partakes.      Before    the  entertainment   is 
resdy,  the  principal  person  begins  a  song  on  the  remark- 
able events  of  their  history,  and  whatever  may  tend   to 
^heir  honour  or  instruction.    The  others  sing  in  their 
turn.    They  also  have  dances,  chiefly  of  a  martial  kind  s 
and  no  solemnity  or  public  business  is  carried  on  wiihoi/t 
•songs  and  dances,     w^'^i? 

,  As  the  Indians  are  high  spirited  and  soon  irritated,  the 
taoit  trifling  provocations  frequently  rouse  them  to  arms, 
tind  prove  the  occasions  of  bloodshed  and  murder.— Their 
peity  private  quarrels  are  otien  decided  this  way,  and  ex- 
poditiona  undertaken  without  the  knowledge  or  consent 
of  a  general  council.  These  private  expeditions  are 
winked  al,  and  excused)  as  a  means  of  keeping  ihci^r 


■0- 


m 


• 


HI 


t. ; 


s      i 


! 


t* 


"■■   ■   rY" 


rf  •-■ 


fouag  niQB  In  acftiont  wt4  iaiiriog  ihMB  to  Um  oMrriitf 
of  war.  *»» 

But  when  wa^  .wcomas  a  national  alairi  it  ia  «ntered 
apon  with  great  deliberation.  They  firtt  call  an  aaftem. 
biy  of  the  sacheiDs  or  chief  warriors,  to  deliberate  apon 
the  affair,  and  every  thing  relating  to  iH  In  tkit  gen- 
eral congress  among  the  northern  Indiana  and  the  Fiv« 
Kationti  the  women  have  a  voice  as  wdl  as  the  men* 
"When  they  are  assembled,  the  chief  saohem  or  presi" 
dent,  proposes  the  affair  they  have  met'  to  consult  upon^ 
and  taking  up  the  tomahawk,  which  lies  by  hinif  says 
*<  Who  among  you  will  go  and  fight  against  such  a  na- 
tion? Who  among  you  will  bring  captives  from  thence 
to  replace  our  deceased  friends,  that  our  wrongs  may  bo 
revsngedi  and  our  name  and  our  honour  maintoined,  ai 
long  as  the  riVers  flow,  the  grass  grows,  or  the  ann  and 
moon  shall  endure  V*  Then  one  of  the  principal  warri- 
ors rising,  harrangues  the  whole  assembly,  and  after^ 
ward,  addressing  himself  to  the  young  men,  enquiret 
who  aiiiong  them  will  go  along  with  him,  and  fight  their 
enemies  ?  When  they  generidly  vise,  one  after  another, 
jand  lall  in  behind  him,  while  he  waika  isoumd  the  circle^ 
"'till  he  Is  joined  by  •  sufficient  nuaaber*  •^nr^r-M  »f-U  .'^^^f^l 

On  such  occasions  they  have  usually  a  deer,  or  som« 
pther  beast  rowusd  whole  ;  and  each  of  them,  as  they 
consent  to  go  to  war,  cuts  off  apiece  and  eats,  saying 
<'  Thus  will  I  devqu'/  our  enemies,"  mentioning  the  ne- 
tion  they  are  going*  to  attack.  The  ceremony  being  per- 
formed, the  dance  begins,  and  they  ung  the  war  song, 
wt\ich  has  relation  to  their  intended  expedition  and  con. 
quest,, or  to  their  own  skill,  courage,  and  dexterity  in 
fighting,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  will  vanquish 
their  enemies*  Their  expressions  are  strong  and  pathet- 
ic, attended  with  a  tone  that  inspires  tenor*   '«9^  .mf  i^- 

Such  is  the;  iuQuence  of  their  women  io  thete  consttl- 


■>>'■ 


^:.- 

^\.-j^ 


# 


m.rf>^ 


i^tMitMi  thit  thtt  iflKttft  depends  mvcli  uptn  ihcRb    U  Mf 

•M  of  tbcin  in  conjunction  with  tbe  xbiefti  hes  e  inin4 

t«  eacite  one»  who   do(i»  not   iaunodieiely  depend  ttfon 

*heni)  le  take  •  part  in  the  weri  ahe  preaentsi   by   tbe 

hands  of  aoine  trustjr  yoaog  warrior »  a  string  of  warn* 

punit  to  the  pertu  \  whose  help  fthe  aoUeiti,  which  lel- 

'«  dom  faila  ef  prodticing  the  effect.    But  when  tbef  soli* 

•- cit  an  offensive  or  detcnsive  alliance  with  a  whole  nation* 

'>^he7  send  an  ensbaaay  with  a  large  belt  of  wampum  and 

^»  bloody  ha tcb«t,  envi  ling  them  toceme  and  driuk  tbo 

blood  of  their  enemies*    Wi^^  :.*i'  ^^^'' 

•  6     The  wampum  used  on  these  and  ether  occasions  be- 

tan  their  acquaintance  with  Euvope^inS)  was  only  small 

/••  shells,  which  they  picked  up  by  tbe  sea  coasts,  and  on 

«~  the  banks  of  the  lakes*    It  now   consists  princ^puHy  of 

;»  kind  of  cylindrical   beads,  made   of  white  and  black 

*  ahellst  Wibich  are  esteemed  among   tbeisi   as  silver  and 
^-gold  are  among  us.    The  Uack  they  tUink  the  most 

^"Valuable  i  both  of  them  are  their  greatest  riches  and  or- 

inmentsy  answering  all  the  ends  of  money  among  us. 

t  They  have  the  a»t  of  stringing)  twisting,  ai»d.int<rweav- 

ing  them  into  their  belisi  collars,  blanLets,  Ice.  in  ten 

V  thousand   different  siaes,  forms,  and  figures,  so  as  not 

'«  only  to  be  ornaments  for  every  part  of  dress,  but  ex. 
pressiTC  oi  all  their  important  trinsaciions.  They  die 
the  wampom  of  various  colours  and  shades;  and. as* 

^i  they  are  made  significant  of  almost  any  thing  they  please, 

'  by  these  their  records  are  kept,  and  their  thoughts  com- 
municated to  one  another,  as  ours  are  by  writing.    Thus 

'   the  belts  that  pass  from  one  nation  to  another,  in   ah 

.  important  transactions,  are  carefully  preserved  in  the 

cabin  of  their  iaiefs,  and  serve  both  as  a  kind  of  record 

o«  history,  and  aft  a  public  trcaaure  ;  hence  they  are  neV' 

cr  uaeU  on  U'iftlng  occasions,  it  ;iV  ::.?..  ,. 

r      The  cslmut,  cr  pipe  of  peace,   is  cf  no  less  inipor- 


■! 


'.;|.h 


% 


■* 


..*-^ , 


f  » 


tftncet  nor  it  it  lew  revered  among  them;    The  bowl  of 
this  pipe  is  made  of  a  kind  of  soft  red  Blow©,  easilf^ 
wrought  and  hollowed  out ;  the  stem  ifc  of  cane,  or  m^' 
kind  of  light  wood,  painted  with  different  colorSf  and' 
adorntd  with  the  heads,  tails,  and  feathers,  of  the  roo&t 
beautiful  birds,  &c.     The  use  of  the  calmut,  is  to  smoker^v 
fither  tobacco  or  some  other  herb  used  instead  of  iti,^' 
when  they  tntci  into  an  alliance  or  any  solemn  engage**^* 
mcni ;  this  being  esteemed  the  most  sacsd  oath  that  can 
be  lakeu,  the  violation  of  which  is  thought  to  be  most  in- 
famous, and  deserving  severe  punishment  in  the  other 
life.     When  I  hey  treat  of  war,  the  whole  pipe  and  all  its 
ornament!!  are  red ;  sometimes  it  is  red  only  on  one  side, 
and  by  the  disposition  of  the  teathers  Sec.  a  i>ertion  ac. 
quainted  with  their  customs,  knows  at  Srst  sight  the  in- 
tentlons  or  de&ires  of  the  nation  who  presents  it.   Smoak- 
ing  the  calmut  is  also  upon   some  occasions  and  in  all 
treaties  considered  as  a  sacred  oath,  as  a  seal  ot  their  de- 
crees, and  a  pledge  of  their  performance  of  them.    The 
aiz?  and  dec  ira'iouit  of  their  calmuts  are  commonly  pro* 
portioned  to  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  to  the  quali- 
ty of  th«  persons  to  whom  they  are  presented,  »nd  to  the 
cble^m  and  regard  they  have  for  them. 

Aooiher  instrument  of  great  importance  among  them  ' 
is  the  tomahavtk.     This   is  an  ancient  weapon,  used  by 
them  in  war,  before  they  were  taught  the  i\se  of  iron  or 
steel,  since  which  hatchets  have  been  substituted   in  the 
reum  of  them,  but  stitl  it  retains  its  nse  and  importance 
in  pul))ic  transactions :  and  like  a  pipe,  is  frequently  very 
siK-'iificdiit.     Thiti  instrument  is  formed  in  some  respects 
like  a  Datciiet,  having  a  long  handle  ;  the  head,  wl.ich  is 
8   lound  knub  of  solid  wood   calculated  to  kciock  a  man 
down,  has  on  the  o'.her  side  a  point;  bending  a  little  to- 
Wid  ihe  handle;  aud  near  the  centre  where  the  handle 
picrceo  tiic  h«»«d  another  point  projects  forward,  of  a  con« 


r 


*.. 


— w— 


OP 

he 

ry 

ctt 

is 

an 

to- 

Idts 


iiderable  length*  whidh  serves  to  thrust  with  like  a  spear* 
The  tomahawk  is  also  ornamented  with  paintin;*:  and 
feathers,  disposed  and  variegated  in  many  significant 
forms  according  to  the  occasion  and  end  for  ^bich  thcjr 
are  used ;  and  on  it  is  kept  a  kind  of  journbl  of  their 
marches  and  most  important  occurrences,  in  a  sort  of 
hieroglyphics.  When  the  council  is  called  to  deliberate 
on  war,  the  tomahawk  is  colored  red  ;  and  when  the 
council  sits  it  is  laid  down  by  the  chieT,  and  if  war  he 
concluded  upon*  the  captain  of  the  young  warriors  takes 
it  up,  and  holding  it  in  his  hand,  dances  and  sings  the 
war-song.  When  the  council  is  over,  this  or  some  other 
of  the  same  kind,  is  sent  by  the  bandti  of  the  same  war- 
rior to  every  tribe  concerned  j  who  with  it  presents  a  belt 
of  wampum,  and  delivers  his  message,  throwing  the  tcm- 
ahawk  on  the  ground,  which  is  taken  up  by  one  of  the 
rnost  expert  warriors,  if  they  choose  to  join  ;  if  rot,  it  it 
returned  with  a  belt  of  their  wampum  suited  to  the  occa* 
sion.  Si.  ;  rt, 

Earh  nation  or  tribe  has  its  distinct  ensigns,  generally 
consisting  of  seme  beast,  bird,  or  fish.  Thus  the  Five 
Nations  have  the  bear,  otter,  wolfe,  tortoise,  and  eagle ; 
by  these  names  the  tribes  are  generally  dialinguished, 
and  the  shapes  of  these  animals  are  pricked  and  painttd 
on  several  parts  of  their  bodies.  Generally,  when  they 
march  through  the  woods,  they  at  eveiy  encampment,  cut 
the  figure  of  ineir  arms  on  the  trees,  ecpecially  when 
they  have  had  a  successful  campaign,  Vnat  travellers  may 
know  that  they  have  been  th'::re  ;  recording  also  in  thtir 
vay  the  number  of  prisoners  and  scalps  they  have  taken. 

Their  military  appearance  is  very  -dA  and  terrible.— 
They  cut  off  all  their  hair,  except  a  spot  on  the  crown 
•f  their  head,  and  pluck  out  their  eye-brows.  The  lock 
left  upon  the  head  is  divided  into  several  parcels,  each  of 
V^'ch  is  stiffeoed,  and  intermixed  wuh  beads  and  featb- 


( 

t 

i 

,  i-i 


Vi 


;l 


I 


i 


f ' 


l\,\ 


i(^ 


% 


I 


.ate. 


t  ' 


I 


f: 


0 


krs  of  Ttr'ious  shapes  and  colours,  the  whole  twitted  and 
connected  together.  They  paint  themselves  with  a  red 
pigment  down  the  eyebrows,  »-/hich  they  sprinkle  ore? 
wiih  white  down.  The  grisile  of  their  ears  are  slit  al. 
moat  quite  round,  and  bung  with  ornaments  that  havo 
gener&liy  the  figure  of  some  bird  or  beast  drawn  upon 
Ihem.  Their  noses  are  liliewise  bored  and  hung  witfc 
beads,  and  their  faces  painted  with  various  colors.  On 
their  brea.rs  are  a  gorget  or  medal  oT  brass,  copper,  or 
some  other  im  tal ;  and  by  a  string  which  goes  round 
their  nechs,  is  suspended  that  horrid  weapon  called  the 
acalping  knife. 

Thus  equipped)  they  march  forth,  singing  their  war. 
song,  till  ttiey  lo&e  sight  of  their  village ;  and  are  gener- 
ally followed  by  their  women,  who  assist  them  in  carrying 
their  baggage,  whether  by  land  or  water,  but  commonly 
return  before  they  procetd  to  action. 

They  have  generally  one  commander  for  every' ten 
men  ;  and  if  the  number  amounts  to  one  hundred,  a  gen- 
eral is  appointed  over  the  others,  not  properly  to  com- 
mand, but  to  give  his  opinion.  They  have  no  stated 
rules  of  discipline,  or  fixed  methods  of  carrying  on  a  war ; 
hut  make  their  attacks  in  as  many  different  ways  as  there 
are  occasions,  but  generall/  in  fiyifig  parties,  equipped 
for  that  purpose. 

The  weapons  used  by  those  who  trade  with  the  Eng- 
lish and  French)  are  commonly  a  firelock,  hatchet,  and  ^ 
scalping-knife  ;  but  the  others  U9C  bows,  tomahawks  and 
|>ikes.  As  the  commander  in  chief  governs  only  by  ad- 
vice, and  can  neither  reward  nor  punish,  every  private 
may  return  home  when  he  pleases  without  assigning  anjr 
reason  for  it ;  or  any  number  may  leave  the  ma  in  body« 
and  carry  on  p  private  expedition,  in  whatever  manner 
they  pleascj  without  b*io|;  called  to  account  for  their  con- 
duct. 


'%> 


■  i 


>K 


-^jiprben  the  Indians  return  from  a  luccetsful  ctnipaiKii» 
fn^  contrive  their  march  so  as  not  to  approach  their  vil- 
lage till  toward  the  evening.  They  then  send  two  or 
three  forward  to  acquaint  their  chief,  and  the  whole  vil- 
lage, with  the  most  material  circumstances  of  their  cam- 
paign.  At  day-light  next  morning,  they  give  their  prison- 
era  new  clothes,  paint  their  faces  with  vsriotts  calors,  and 
put  into  their  hand  a  white  ntaif,  tasselled  round  with  the 
tails  of  deer.  This  being  done,  the  war*captain  sets  up 
a  cry,  and  gives  as  many  yells  as  he  has  taken  prisoners 
and  scalps,  and  the  whole  village  assemble  at  the  water 
aide.  As  soon  as  the  warriors  appear  four  or  five  of  their 
young  men,  well  clothed,  get  into  a  canoe,  if  they  come 
by  water,  or  otherwise  march  by  land  :  the  two  first  car- 
rying each  a  calmut,  go  out  singing  to  search  th  prison- 
ers, whom  they  lead  in  triumph  \.q  the  cabin  uhere  they 
are  to  receive  their  doom.  The  owner  of  this  cabin  has 
the  power  of  determining  their  fate,  though  it  is  often  left 
to  some  woman  who  has  lost  her  husband,  brother,  or 
son  in  the  war }  and  when  this  iii  the  case,  she  generally 
adopts  him  into  the  place  of  the  deceased.  The  prisoner 
has  victuals  imntediately  given  him  and  while  he  is  at 
this  repast,  a  consultation  is  held ;  and  if  it  be  resolved 
to  save  his  life,  two  young  men  untie  him,  and  taking 
him  by  the  hands,  lead  him  to  the  cabin  of  the  person 
into  whose  family  he  is  to  he  adoped,  and  there  he  is  re- 
ceived with  all  imaginable  marks  of  kindness.  Pie  is 
treated  as  a  friend,  as  a  brother,  or  as  a  husband,  and 
they  soon  love  him  with  the  same  tenderness  as  if  he 
stood  in  the  place  of  one  .  f  their  friends.  In  short,  he 
has  no  other  marks  of  captivity,  but  his  not  being  suffer- 
ed to  return  to  his  own  nation,  for  his  attempting  this 
would  be  punished  with  certain  death. 

But  if  the  sentence  be  death,  hu\7  uifTerent  their  con« 
duct !  these  people,  who  behave  with  such  disinterested 


t 


n  i  ( 


-t.- 


.  # 


~9t^ 


lU  r    I 


'  I 


ilTection  to  each  other,  wHh  such  (endemeff  to  tM^ 
whom  they  adopt,  here  shew  that  ihey  are  tro'y  tarmge^r 
the  dreadful  sentence  is  no  soonerpasfed,  than  the  whole 
village  set  up  the  death-cry  ;  and,  as  if  there  were  na 
medium  t>elween  the  most  generous  friendshipr  and  (he 
:,  most  inhuman  crcreitjr ;  for  the  execution  of  htm  whom 
)ji^f  ihey  had  just  before  deliberated  upon  ttdn,itiing  into  their 
tribe  is  no  longer  deferred,  thsu  whilst  they  can  make  the 
necessary  preparations  fur  rioting  in  the  most  diabolical 
cruelty.  J'h  .y  first  strip  him,  and  fixing  two  posts  in 
the  giourd,  fusten  to  them  two  pieces  from  one  to  the 
other  ;  op  about  two  feet  from  the  ground,  the  othei? 
aboi  fve  or  six  feet  higher:  then  obliging  the  unhappy 
vic^li  o  mount  upon  the  lower  cross  piece,  they  tie  his 
le^s  to  ]f. .'  • 'ttle  asunder :  his  hands  are  extended  and 
tied  to  t.ic  angles  formed  by  the  upper  piece.  In  ihia 
posture  thoy  burn  him-all  over  the  body,  sometimes  first 
daubing  him  with  pitch.  The  whole  village,  men,  wo- 
men, and  children,  assemble  round  him,  every  one  tor. 
taring  him  In  what  manner  they  please,  each  striving  to 
exceed  the  other  in  cruelty,  as  long  as  he  has  li/e.  Bat 
if  none  of  the  bye  standers  are  inclined  to  lengthen  out 
his  torments,  he  is  either  shot  to  death,  or  inclosed  with 
dry  bark,  to  which  they  set  fire  ;  they  then  [eave  him  on 
the  frame,  and  in  the  evening  run  from  cabin  to  cabin,  su* 
perstitiously  striking  with  small  twigs,  the  furniture,  walla, 
and  roofs,  to  prevent  his  spirit  from  remaining  there  to 
take  vengeance  for  the  evils  committed  on  his  body.  The 
remainder  of  the  day  and  the  night  following  is  spent  in 
rejoicing.  ,'  ,     ;    -      ; 

This  is  the  most  usual  method  of  murdering  theif 
prisoners  ;  but  sometime*  they  fasten  them  to  a  single 
stake,  and  build  a  fire  around  them  ;  at  other  times  thef 
ci  KcIiy  msngle  their  limbs,  cut  off  their  fingers  and  toe» 
^•nt  by  joint)  and  sometimca  scOiU  them  to  death. 


M 


What  if  the  mo«(  extraordinarf ,  ir  the  raffercr  be  aa 
IndiaOi  there  seemft  during  the  whole  time  of  hit  execo- 
tioQi  a  contest  beiween  him  and  his  tormentoi's,  which 
shall  outdo  the  other,  they  in  inflicting  the  most  horrid 
pains,  or  he  in  enduring  ihcm  :  not  a  graani  not  a  sight 
not  a  distortion  of  countenance  escapes  him  in  the  midst 
of  his  torments.  It  is  even  said,  that  he  recounts  his  own 
exploits,  informs  them  what  cruellies  he  has  inflicted  up« 
on  their  countrymen,  and  threatens  with  the  revenge  that 
will  attend  his  deitii :  that  he  even  reproaches  them  for 
their  ignorance  of  the  art  of  tormenting ;  points  out 
rr^ihods  of  more  exquisite  torturC}  aod  more  sensible 
parts  \.^  the  body  to  be  afflicted. 

The  scalpsy  those  dreadful  proofs  of  the  barbarity  of 
these  Indians,  are  valued,  and  h,ung  up  in  their  houses  as 
the    trophies  of  their  bravery ;  aod  they  have  certain 
days  when  the  young  men   gain  a  new  name  or  title  of 
honor,  according  to  the  qualities  of  the  per^nns  to  whom 
these  scalps  belonged^     This   name  they  tliitk  a   sufii' 
cieot  reward  for  the  dangers  aod  fa.igues  of  many  cam* 
paigns,  as  it  reuderb  them  respected  by  their  country- 
men, and  terrible  to  their  enemies.  .Ill' 
,\    In  the  late  American  revolution,  Britain  had  the  inhu< 
manity  to  reward  these  sons  of  batbarity  for  depredations 
committed  upon  those  who  were  struggling  in  the  cause 
of  liberty  !— It  was  through   their  in&tiga'.ion    that   the 
hatchets  of  the  Indians  were  made  drunk  with  American 
blood  !— the  widuw'-s  wail,  the  virgin's  shiiekt  and  infant's 
trembling  cry,  was  music  in  tlicir  ears.     In  cold  blood 
they  struck   their  cruel  tomuhavrks  into  the  defenceless 
i.c^d  of  a  Miss  M'Kray,  a  beautiiul  girl,  who  was  ihat  ve. 
ry  day  to  have  been  marn<  ^ ! — the  particulars  of  the  in- 
human transaction  were  as  follows  :— Prevous  to  the  late 
war  between  America  and  Great-ilritaui,  a  Uiitish  officer 
by  the  name  of  Junks,  an  accomplished  young;  man,  tj> 


f 

' 

■ 

j 

1 

M 


i  i 


■■■■m^ii 


# 


sided  netr  Fort  Edirard— >' '«  vititt  thither  beelne  mere 
frequcnti  when  he  found  himself  irreiistibly  drawn  by 
charms  of  natire  worth  and  beauty.  Miss  M'KaAfi 
whose  memory  is  dear  to  humanity  and  true  affection) 
^  Was  the  object  of  his  peregrinations. 

Mr.  JoNBs  had  not  talcen  the  precautions  necessary  in 
hazardous  love,  but  had  manifested  to  the   lady  by   his 
constant  attention»  undissembled  and  ingenious  demean, 
or,  that  ardent  affection}  which  a  susceptible  heart  com- 
pelled her  implicitly  to  return*    In   this   mutual   inter, 
change  of  passions,  they  suffered  themselves  to  be  trans- 
ported on  the  ocean  of  imagination,  till  the  unwelcome 
necessity  of  a  seperation  cut  off  every    springing  hope* 
The  war  between  Great  Britain  and  America  commen. 
ced— a  removal  from  this  happy  spot  was  in  consequence 
Suggested   to   Mr.  Jones,  as   indispensable.      Nothing 
could   alleviate  their  mutual  horror,  but  duty— nothing 
could  ailay  their  reciprocal  grief,  so  as  to   render  a  sep> 
crate  corporeal  existence  tolerable,    but   solemn    vowsi 
with  the  ideas  of  a  future  meeting.     Mr.  Jones  repaired 
to  Canada,  where  all    intercourse    with   the   Provincials 
was  prohibited.     Despair,  which  presented   itself  in  ag- 
gravated    colours   when    Gen.  Bukcotnb's   expedition 
tbrouGfh  the  States  was    fixed,  succeeded   to    his  former 
hopes.— The  British  army  being  encamped   about    three 
miles  from  the   Fort,  a    descent    was    daily   projecting. 
Here  Mr.  Jonks  could    not  but  recognize    tht    spot,  on 
>^hich  vested   all  his   joys.     He  figured   to  hi:>  mind  the 
dread,  which   his    hostile   approach    mus-t   raise    in   the 
breast  of  her,  whom  of  all  others,  he  thought  it  is  high- 
«st  interestno  piotcct.     In    spite   of  arreites   and   com> 
mands  to  the  contrary,  he  found  means  sccretlyto    con- 
vey a  letter,  inlreaiing  her  not   to   leave  the    town    with 
the  family,  assuring  her,  that  as  soon  as  the  fort    bhoulil 
have  surrcuderedj  he  would  convey    hex    le  an  asyiuutt 


^^ 


6' 
)in> 


^erc  thejr  might  peaceably  coniummate  the  auptial 
ceremony.  Far  from  discrediting  the  »'•  iceritjr  of  him 
ivho  could  not  deceive  her,  she  heruicaUy  i  Tubed  to  foU 
low  the  flying  villagers.  The  remonitranc^K  of  a  Father* 
or  the  tearful  intreatica  of  a  mother  and  numerous  fricnda 
could  not  avail !  It  was  enough  that  hc0  tovvr  was  her 
friend— she  considered  herself  protected  by  the  love  and 
voluntary  assurances  of  her  youthful  hero.  With  ihr 
society  of  a  servant  maid,  she  impatiently  waited  the  de- 
sired conveyance.  Mr.  Joke!>  finding  the  difficulty  into 
which  he  was  brought,  at  length,  for  Witnt  ot  betu 
convoy,  hired  a  party  of  iwe've  .ndians,  to  cairy  a  let- 
ter to  Miss  M'Kray,  vrith  '  .s  own  horse,  fur  the  pur. 
pose  of  carrying  her  to  ihe  place  appointed.  They  set 
off,  fired  wiih  the  anticipation  of  their  promised  premi- 
um, which  was  tt  consist  of  a  qu^ptity  of  spirits,  on 
condition  that  '.hey  brought  her  off  in  sarety,  \rhich)  to 
an  Indian,  was  the  most  cogent  stimulus  the  young  lov- 
er could  have  named.  Having  arrived  in  view  of  hf^r 
window,  they  sagaciously  held  up  the  letter,  to  prevent 
the  fears  and  apprehensions  which  a  savage  knows  he 
must  excite,  in  the  sight  ci'  tenderness  and  sensibility. 
Her  faiih  and  expectations  enabled  her  to  divine  the  bu- 
siness oi  these  ferocious  missionaries,  while  her  fright- 
ened maid  uttered  nought  but  shrieks  and  cries.  They 
arrived,  and  by  their  signs  convinced  her  from  whom 
they  had  their  instructions.  If  a  doubt  could  remain,  it 
was  removed  by  the  letter— -it  was  from  her  lover.  A 
lock  of  liis  hair,  which  it  contained,  presiented  his  man- 
ly figure  to  her  glowing  fancy. 

Here,  reader,  guess  what  must  have  been  her  ecsta- 
cy, — She  resolved  to  brave  even  the  most  horrid  aspect, 
which  might  appear  between  her  and  hm,  whom  she 
considered  aiieudy  hers,  without  a  sigh — she  did  not  for 
a  mr  inunt   hesitate  to  fallow  the  wishes  of  her  lover  ;  and 


i  i 


14  \ 


■    I 


i  'i 


'3} 


f; 


=1 


:  1  I-  _  , 


I'r"' 


(it! 


(| 


a 


f.i^.i" 


.  t 


It:  \ 


i 


^, 


¥- 


took  journef  with  theie  bloodf  r-? sKngert,  cspec'inf 
feiy  aoon  to  be  shielded  in  the  an  of  legitimaie  tflec- 
lion.  A  short  distance  onlf  then  setmcd  to  seperat*  t|vo 
of  the  happiest  of  mortals.— AUa  !  how  soon  are  the 
most  briliant  pictures  of  felicity  defaced  by  the  burning 
hand  of  bfll'CiioD  and  wo !  How  swiftly  are  the  halcyon 
dreams,  which  lull  the  supine  indolence  of  thought,  sue- 
cteded  by  the  real  pangs  which  are  inflicted  by  a  punish- 
ing providence  or  a  persecuting  foe  ! 

Having  risen  the  hill,  ut  about  equal  distances  from 
the  camp  and  her  former  home,  a  »econd  party  of  In- 
dians having  heard  of  the  captivating  ufTer  made  by  Mr; 
JoN^a,  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportuni- 
ty. The  reward  was  the  great  object.  A  clashing  of 
real  and  assumed  rights  was  soon  followed  by  a  furious 
end  bloody  engagement,  in  which  several  were  kiHed  on 
each  bide.  The  commander  of  the  first  party,  perceiv- 
ing thet  nought  but  the  lady's  death  could  appease  tb^ 
fury  of  either,  deliberately  knocked  her  from  her  horset 
mangling  her  scalp  from  b<  r  k£.%utiful  temples,  which  h.e 
exulting!y  bore  as  a  trophy  M'  h«s  zeal  to  the  expectant 
and  anxious  lover!  Hcrvs  O  ^lisappointment,  was  ihf 
ating  !  It  was  with  the  greatciii  difficulty  that  Mr.  JoHxy 
could  be  kept  from  total  delirium.  His  horror  and  indig- 
nation could  not  be  appeased ;  his  remorse  for  having 
rii>ked  his  most  valuable  treasure  in  the  hands  of  sav- 
ages I  drove  him  almost  to  madness.  When  the  pattic- 
lilars  of  ih.e  melancholy  event  reached  Gen.  BuRCOTNt^ 
be  oidered  the  survivors  of  both  thcM  parties  to  imo^e- 
jdiate  execution.  '    .  —  ^   ^  *-    *    . 


-*. '  -\'  '4-^ 


>     * 


i-         ^    ^V         •^''k  4.'  f    ^        r\ 


,1 


4f 


-If— 

*  *^'^  ''       '    "      CHAP.  V. 

\>      WASHINGTON'S  EXPEDITION, 

*       "  m    I7S3--AMD 

'  '  -    DEFEAT  o»  CtWRHAL  DPADDOCKt 
'■■"'i  Br  rut  Indians,  in  1755. 

*  -       IN  1753,  the  French  and  Indians  began  to  mak 
inroads  on  our  western  frontiers  along  the  Uhio.     Go^ 
ernor  DiNwiDo.  k,  of  Virginia,  was  very  desirous  to  gc. 
•  letter  of  remonstrance  (o  their  commander  in  chief.— 
He  had    applied   to  several  young  gentlemen   of  his  ac< 
quaintance,  but  they  were  all  so  deficient  in  courage  that 
they  could  not  be  prevailed  on  for  love  or  money,  to  ven- 
ture  out  among  the  savages.     Our  beloved  Washing- 
ton happening  to  hear  of  it,  instantly  waited  on  his  ex- 
cellcncy,  aitd  tffered  his  services,  but  not  without  being 
terribly  afraid  lest  his  want  of  a  beard  should  go  against 
him.     However,  the  Governor  was  so  charmed  with  hit 
modesty  and  manly  air,  that  he  never  asked  him  a  sylla- 
ble about  his  age,  but  after  thanking  him  for  "  a  noble 
jouth"  and  insisting  on  his  taking  a  glass  of  wine  witlt 
him,  slipped  a  commission  into  his  hand.    The  next  day, 
accompanied  by  an  interpreter  and  a  couple  of  servanti, 
he  set  out  on  his  expedition,  which  was,  from  start  to  pole« 
as  disagreeable  and   dangerous  as  any  thing  Herculus 
himself  could    have   wivhed.      Soaking  rains,  chilling 
blasts,  roaring  floods,   pathless  woods,    and  mountains 
clad  in  snows,  opposed  his  course  ;  but  opposed  in  vain. 
The  glorious  ambition  to  serve  his  country  imparted  an 
animation  to  his  nerves,  which  rendered  him  superior  to 
all  difficulties.  ^ 

Rteturninir  homewards,  he  was  waylaid  and  shot  at  of 
a  French  Indian,  and  though  the  copper- colored  ruffiaQ 
wat  aot  U  steps  distant  when  he  fired  at  hiiD)  yet  not 


i  ■ 


».'. 


-T 


,! 
i 

t    . 

•'.L.H   :    . 
,\  \        1 

1 

.    i    .■    ■ 

i  m' 

n  I 

1 

:•  ,n 

I  ii' 


' ';  !   i'     ' 


i. 

I 

f 

^'\ 

] 

\ ; 

.X. 

IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


I^IM  12.5 
■tt  i^  12.2 
us.    12.0 


m 

lU 


li 


% 


75 


^> 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)S72-4S03 


4 


'9>^ 


0 


^s 


4^ 


■» 


I/' 


(    : 


l^^ei  80  tn^eb  lAiie  smell  of  lead  passed  on  tho  etothei 
of  «ur  young  hero.  On  his  return  to  Virginiti  it  was 
found  that  he  had  executed  his  negociationst  both  with  the 
French  and  Indians,  with  such  fidelity  and  judgement, 
that  he  receired  the  heartiest  thanks  of  the  Oovemor  and 
Council  for  the  very  important  senrices  he  had  done  his 
country. 

He  was  now  (in  the  30th  year  of  h7s  a^)  appointed 
major  and  adjutant>general  of  the  Virginia  forces.  Soon 
after  this,  the  Indians  continuing  the  encroachments,  or- 
ders ware  given  by  the  English  government,  for  the  colo* 
nies  to  arm  and  unite  in  one  confederacy.  Virginia  took 
the  lead,  and  raised  a  regiment  of  tour  hundred  men,  at 
the  head  of  which  she  placed  her  darling  WAsai«pTOW. 

With  this  handful  of  brave  feltown,  Col.  WasHSNOTOWi 
not  yet  33  years  of  age,  boldly  pushed  out  into  the  Indian 
country,  and  there  for  a  considerable  time,  Hanuibal-liket 
maintained  the  war  against  three  times  the  number  of 
French  and  Indiana.  At  the  Red-Stones  he  came  up 
with  a  strong  party  of  the  enemy,  whom  he  engaged  and 
eifectually  defeated,  after  having  killed  and  taken  thirty* 
one  men.  From  his  prisoners  he  obtained  undoubted  in- 
telligence, that  the  French  forces  on  the  Ohio  consisted 
of  upwards  of  a  thousand  regulars  and  many  hundreds  of 
Indians.  But  notwithstanding  this  disheartening  advice, 
he  still  pressed  on  undauntedly  against  the  enemy,  and  at 
a  place  called  the  Little  Meadows,  built  a  fort,  which  he 
called  Fort  Necessity*  Here  he  waited,  hourly  and  anx- 
iously looking  for  succours  from  New- York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  but  he  looked  in  vain— nobody  came  to  his  assis- 
tance. Not  long  after  this  his  small  force,  now  reduced 
tu  three  hundred  men,  was  attacked  by  jin  army  of  1 100 
French  and  Indians*  Never  did  the  true  Virginian  valor 
thine  more  gloriously  than  on  this  trying  occasion. 
1   T«  set  three  hundred  young  ieUows— commanded  by  a 


V^  '.m* 


# 


Indooth-dKed  bof— all  unaceuttomed  t»  ih*  tcrroi^  of 
war— Crr  from  home,  and  from  all  hopes  of  help— thuc 
up  in  a  dreary  wilderneas,  and  aurrounded  by  hue  times 
their  number  of  tavage  foea,  and  yet,  without  sign  of 
fear,  without  thought  of  surrender,  preparing  for  mortal 
combau  Oh !  it  was  a  noUe  sight  l^Scarcelf  aince  tho 
days  of  Leonidas  and  his  three  hundred  deathless  Spar- 
tans, had  the  son  beheld  its  equal.  With  hideous  whoops 
and  yells  the  enemy  came  on  like  a  host  ol  tygers.  The 
%oods,  and  rocks,  and  tall  tree  tops  (as  the  Indians  climb* 
ing  to  the  tops  of  the  trees,  poured  down  their  bullets 
into  the  fort)  were  in  one  continued  blaze  and  crash  of 
fire*arms.  Nor  were  our  young  warriors  idle,  but,  ani- 
mated by  (heir  gallant  chief,  plied  their  rifles  with  such 
spirit,  that  their  little  fort  resembled  a  volcano  in  full 
blast,  roaring  and  discharging  thick  sheets  of  liquid  fire 
and  of  leaden  deaths  among  their  foes*  For  three  glori- 
ous hours.  Salamander  like,  inveloped  in  smoke  and 
flame,  they  sustained  the  attack  of  the  enemy's  whole 
force,  and  laid  two  hundred  of  them  dead  on  the  spot !— > 
Discouraged  by  such  desperate  resistance,  the  French 
general,  the  Count  de  Villi brs  sent  in  a  flag  to  Wash- 
ington, extolling  his  gallantry  to  the  skies,  and  oflering 
him  the  moat  honorable  terms*  It  was  stipulated  that 
Col.  Washington  and  his  little  band  of  heroes,  should 
march  away  with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  carry  with 
them  their  military  stores  and  baggage* 
^^'  In  the  Spring  of  1755,  Washington,  while  busied  in 
the  highest  military  operations,  was  summoned  to  attend 
Gen.  Braddock,  who  in  the  month  of  February^  arrived 
at  Alexandria,  with  3000  British  troops.  The  Assembly 
of  Virginia  appointed  800  provincials  to  join  him.  The 
object  of  this  army  was  to  march  through  the  country, 
by  the  way  of  Will's  Creek,  to  fort  Ou  Quesne  (now 
Pittabiirgh  or  Fort  Pitt*)  As  no  person  was  so  weil  ac« 
M 


I .. 


^^^!  ^i    i 


'■% 


nPi;-t 


f  '<S''I 


I     1 


A-' 


\<  !<( 


qvMotci)  villi  the  froatier  oooati?  M  W«tii«c;f  ov,  tnil" 
Dont  M0od  M>  high  in  nihitrf  famei  it  vm  (hovght  be 
WMiU  bi:  infioitcLjr  tcrviccabl*  to  g«ncr»l  Bkabpqck.  A| 
%be  rcqueM  af  the  Governor  »nd  Council  be  jcheerrullf  "^ 
quitted  hi*  own  coamand,  to  «fit  m  volgiue«r  aid  de- 
camp 10  tiMt  veij  imprudent  and  unfortunate  genera).-^ 
The  arnijr,  near  SOOO  strong,  marched  from  Alexandria 
and  proceeded  unmoleated  within  a  few  miiei  of  Fort 
Pitt.  On  the  morning  of  the  day  in  whkb  they  exj'ect- 
cd  to  arrivet  the  provincial  scouts  discovered  a  large  party 
of  French  and  Indians  lying  in  ambu&h.  WAsiiifCTOVt 
with  bia  usual  modestyt  observed  to  Gen*  Bbadoock 
what  sort  of  enemy  be  bad  now  to  deal  with*  An  ene* 
my  who  would  not,  like  the  Europeans,  come  fi||r.ward  to 
a  fair  contest  in  the  field,  but,  concealed  behind  rocks  and 
trees  carry  on  a  deadly  warfare  with  their  riles.  He  con- 
cluded with  begging  that  Gen.  BaAsnocK  would  grant 
him  the  honor  to  let  him  place  himselt  at  the  head  of  the 
Virginia  riflemen,  and  fight  them  in  their  own  way.— 
And  it  was  generally  thought  that  cur  young  hero  and 
his  COO  hearts  of  hickory,  would  very  easily  have  beaten 
them  too,  for  they  were  not  superior  to  the  force,  whicht 
(with  only  three  hundred)  he  had  handled  so  roughly  a 
twelve  montiv  before.  But  Gen.  Bbabdock,  who  had  all 
along  treated  the  American  dBccra  and  soldiers  with  in- 
finite contempt,  instead  of  following  this  truly  salutary  ad- 
vice, swelled  and  reddened  with  moat  unmanly  rage.*— 
<*  High  times,  by  G«^ !"  be  exclaimed,  strutting  '.o  and 
fro,  with  arms  a-kimbo,  *<  High  times  I  when  a  young 
buckskift  can  teach  a  British  general  how  to  fight !"— > 
Wasbihgtom  withdrew,  biting  his  lips  with  grief  and  in- 
dignation, to  think  what  numbers  of  brave  fellows  would 
draw  short  bresib  that  day,  through  the  pride  and  obsti- 
nacy of  one  epavlettcd  fool.  The  troops  vrere  ordered 
to  Jmrm  and  advance  mi  wImmm  through  the  woods  \  \  U<- 


fn  ■  littti  thtte  rtie  ruiik  which  WAtf«nr«fdW  htd  pt€* 
dieitd  eniued*  Thii  poor  deToted  crmr,  pushed  on  tf 
their  mad-cap  general,  fell  into  the  fattl  intire  which  wtt 
laid  for  them.  All  at  oAce  «  tbomand  rifles  began  iHt 
work  of  death.  The  ground  was  instantljr  covered  wft% 
the  dying  and  the  dead.  The  British  tro^t,  thus  slaugh- 
tered bf  hundreds,  and  bjr  an  -enenif  #hQni  ihejr  could 
not  see,  were  thrown  irrecoverably  into  panic  and  con^ 
fosionf  and  in  a  few  minutes  their  haughty  (general  with 
ISdOof  bis  brave  but  unfortunate  countrymen,  bit  the 
ground.  Poor  Bradoocs  dosed  the  tragedy  with  )>reat 
decency.  He  was  mortally  woufided  in  the  beginning 
of  the  action,  and  WASBivtSrow  had  him  placed  in  « 
cart  retj^y  for  refreat.  Close  on  the  left,  where  ilie 
height  of  the  Frenth  and.Indian'  tre  principally  felt, 
WASHiKOTOir  and  his  Virgfinhr  riflemen,  drcsst-din  l)Iue, 
sustained  the  shock.  At  every  discharge  of  their  rifles 
the  wounded  general  cred  out,  **0  my  iraae  Virgiw 
blues!  Would  to  God  I  could. 6ut  liin  tt  revtardjou/or  such 
gallantrj,"  But  he  died.  Wasbikcton  buried  him  m 
the  road,  and  to  save  him  from  discovery  and  the  scalp* 
ing  knife,  ordered  the  waggons  on  their  retreat  to  drive 
over  his  grave !— O  God !  what  is  man  i  Even  a  thing  of 
nought ! 

Amidst  all  this  feavful  consternation  and  carnage, 
amidst  all  the  uproar  and  horrors  -of  a  rout,  rendered  siill 
more  dreadful  by  the  groans  of  the  dying,  the  screams  of 
the  wounded,  the  piercing  shrieks  of  the  women,  and  ihe 
yells  of  the  furious  assaulting  savages,  WashikctoW) 
calm  and  self-collected,  rallied  his  fj*iihful  riheinen,  led 
them  on  to  the  charge,  killed  numbers  of  the  enemy  who 
were  rushing  on  with  tomahawks,  checked  their  pursuit, 
and  brought  off  the  shattered  remains  ot  the  Biiiis^h  army* 

With  respect  to  our  beloved  Washinctok,  I  cannot 
but  mention  here  two  very,  extraordinary  speeches  thft 


TV,  ■ '  i  1  ■ 


" 

1 

V 

'  !■! 

■  •  |f^ 

in 


Jit"' " 


ft' 


M 


J 


.■■?*" 


, 


IP 


1 


# 


-i: 


— if— 

were  uttered  about  Mm  at  this  Umei  and  which)  m 
thiogi  have  turned  out,  look  a  good  deal  like  prophecies* 
A  Ckmoua  Indian  warrior  who  astltted  in  the  defeat  of 
Bbabdock,  was  often  heard  to  awear  that  Wasiikotoii 
va«  ttot  born  to  bt  killed  by  a  bullet,  *•  /or,"  continued     he, 

•.  *•  / had  itfAirJirei  at  him  vith  mj  rije,  and,  after  aO,  I 
em/d  not  bring  him  to  the  ground,"~^And,  indeed,  whoever 
conaiders  that  a  good  rifl^,  le?elled  by  a  proper  marki* 
nan,  hardly  ever  misses  its  aim,  will  readily  enough 
conclude  with  this  unlettered  savage,  that  some  invisible 
band  must  have  turned  aside  his  bullets. 
,  The  Rev.  Mr.  Datibs,  in  a  sermon  occasioned  by 
Gen.  Br  APDOca's  defeat,  has  these  remaikable  words— 
«<  I  beg  leave  to  point  the  attentita  of  the  public  to  that  hero- 
ie  youthy  Co/,  CzohUM  WASHivaTOM,  whom  I  cannot  bu$ 

,    hope  providence  has  preserved  for  some  great  serfiee  to  this 
oounfrj,'*  ,  J- 


EXPEDITION  Ano  DEtEAT  or  Gaw.  BARMER, 
By  THE  INDIANS,  1790.  « 


u 


ALTHOUGH  a  peace  was  happily  effected  be- 
tween the  two  contending  parties,  Great-Britain  and  A- 
merica,  in  1783,  yet  the  Savages,  who  had  been  per- 
suaded to  take  a  part  with  the  former  were  unwilling  to 
bury  the  bloody  hatchet— they  had  not  sufficiently  bath- 
ed that  des'ruciive  weapon  in  the  blood  of  the  Ameri- 
cans—without any  pretext  whatever,  ihey  continued  to 
exercise  toward  them  the  moat  wanton  acts  of  barbarity. 
It  appeared  from  respeclabib  evidence,  that  from  the 
year  1783,  until  the  month  of  Qctober  1790,  the  time 
the  IJnittd  States  commenced  offensive  operations  a- 


:.t 


!■> 


>'f 


gaintt  the  laid  Indians,  that  on  the  Ohio,  and  tho  fima* 
licri  on  the  south-side  thereof,  they  killed,  wounded  and 
took  prisoners,  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  men, 
women  and  children,  besides  carrying  off  upwards  of 
two  thousand  borscs,  and  other  property  to  the  amount 
of  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  particulars  of  many  of  the  instances  of  barbarity 
exerci^ied  upon  the  prisoners,  of  different  ages,  and  sex- 
es, although  supported  by  indisputable  evtdenee,  are  of 
too  shocking  a  nature  to  be  presented  to  the  public— but, 
in  justification  of  the  Americans  in  the  commencement 
of  hostilities  wiih  this  unprincipled  race  of  beings,  the 
particulars  of  some  few  instances  of  their  unprovoked 
cruelties,  may  be  found  contained  in  an  appendix,  sub- 
joined to  this  work— it  is  sufficient  here  to  observe,  that 
the  scalping  knife  and  tomahawk,  were  the  mildest  instru- 
ments oi  death.  That  in  some  cases  torture  by  fire> 
and  other  execrable  means  were  used. 

But  the  outrages  which  were  committed  upon  the 
frontier  inhabitants,  were  not  the  only  injuries  that  were 
sustained ;  repeated  attacks  upon  detachments  of  the 
troops  of  the  United  States,  were  at  different  times  made. 
The  following  from  its  peculiar  enormity  deserves  reci- 
tal.—In  April  1790,  Msj.  Oovahtt  (in  service  ot  the 
United  States)  was  ordered  to  the  friendly  Chicasaws  on 
public  business.  He  performed  this  duty  in  a  boat,  hav- 
ing with  him  a  party  of  fifteen  men.  While  ascending 
the  Tennesee  river,  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  forty  In* 
dians,  in  four  canoes,  consisting  principally  of  Shawa- 
nese  and  out-cast  Cherokees.— They  approached  under 
a  white  flagi  the  well  known  emblem  of  peace.  They 
came  on  board  the  Major's  boat,  received  his  presents, 
continued  with  him  nearly  an  hour,  and  then  departed  in 
the  most  friendly  manner.—* But,  they  had  scarcely 
eleared  his  oar's  before  they  poured  in  a  fire  upon   bis 


i(  i' 


■!   f. 


#tl 


\' 


U     V 


ll; 


'i 


n- 


*     ,%: 


»«— 


whitth  WM  Ntarn«d  m  fooii  at  eireimi«tinc«i 
wwdd  permit*  and  •  nott  oiMqual  eombtat  w«  tuatained 
for  teraral  boarst  when  they  abaiMtoned  their  detignv 
but  not  until  they  had  liiHed  and  woonded  eleven  o«t  of 
iAeen  of  (he  boat'*  crew*  ^ 

;,  All  orertoret  of  peace  failing,  and  the  depredaffoaa 
atill  continuing,  an  attempt  at  coercion  became  indispen- 
•able ;  accordingljr*  on  the  SOth  September,  17fO,  the 
President,  by  ind  with  the  consent  and  advice  of  the 
Congresa  of  the  United  Staiea,  dispatched  Gen.  Har- 
van,  with  SSO  Federal  troops  and  1133  militia,  onder 
his  commandi  to  atuck  and  deitrojr  their  principal  villa- 
ges. 

..  The  troops  after  seventeen  daft  march  from  MiamU 
reached  the  great  Miami  village,  without  aojr  other  mo- 
lestation than  that  of  having  a  number  of  their  pack-bor^ 
aes  stolen.  On  their  arrival  thef  found  the  village  de- 
serted, and  all  the  valuable  buildings  in  fames,  aet  on 
fire  bjr  the  Indians.  After  a  short  tarry,  they  proceed, 
ed  to  the  neighbouring  villages,  without  molestation^ 
and  destroyed  five  of  themi  and  a  large  quantity  of  coroi 
computed  at  fifteen  thousand  bushels,  which  they  found 
buried  in  different  places ;  and  vary  large  quantities  of 
vegetables  of  every  kind. 

The  first  opposition  that  was  met  with,  a  party  of  a. 
bout  150  Kentucky  militia>  and  30  regute>  troopa,  ail 
under  the  command  of  G(4.  Hardiho,  of  KenHicky, 
were  detached  from  the  main  body  lying  in  the  great 
Miami  village,  to  pursue  the  trail  of  a  party  of  Indians* 
which  had  the  day  before  been  discovered.  After  a  pur- 
auit  of  about  six  miles*  they  came  up  with,  and  were  at- 
tacked on  surprize  by  a  body  of  Indians,  who  were  con- 
cealed in  the  thickets  on  every  aide  of  a  large  plain  ;  and 
on  the  first  onset  the  militia  without  exchanging  a  singi* 
fkot,  made  a  most  preci^ate  ratitat  and  left  the  regular 


fy. 


m^:^'*^^^ 


^*:*^..    ^.- 


,,'ilMiVi,-': 


:lf^ 


»♦■ 


tr^opt  to  stMd  ibe  whole  charge  of  the  ladiani ;  the  ce»» 
flkt  VM  ihort  and  bloodj*  the  ti^oope  were  soon  overpow- 
ered bf  niunbcrtt  and  all  fell  except  two  oficerat  and 
two  or  three  privaieii  after  defending  thcmselvea  at  their 
'  h:^o»ct  pointst  with  the  greatest  poaaible  obatiaacjr*  Eo« 
aig9  HAaTiaoav  wat  one  of  the  officers  who  providcnr 
tially  ckcaped)  and  his  escape  appeared  to  depend  more 
oa  a  lucky  circumatancc  of  faltering  over  a  log  in  hit  re- 
treat*  and^bjr  that  means  screening  himself  from  the  eye 
of  his  pursuers,  than  from  any  other  circumatance.  Capt. 
Abmstrqnc,  who  commanded  the  party,  lilcewise  made 
his  eacapci  by  plunging  himself  into  a  pond  or  swamp  up 
to  his  neck*  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  ield  of  ac- 
tion) where  he  remained  the  whole  night  a  apectator  to 
the  horrid  scene  of  the  war  dance  performed  over  the 
dead  and  wounded  bodies  of  the  poor  soldiers  that  had 
fallen  the  preceding  day;  where  their  shrieks,  mixed 
with  the  horrid  yells  of  the  savages,  rendered  his  situa* 
tiou  shockinjp* 

After  this,  some  few  akirmishea  succeeded,  but  noth- 
ing material,  until  the  second  capital  action,  which  hap- 
pened tWQ  days  after  the  army  left  the  Miami  village— 
at  ten  miles  distance  from  the  town,  the  General  order- 
ed a  halti  and  detached  from  four  to  five  hundred  mili- 
tia, and  about  sixty  regular  soldiers,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Wvllts,  and  Colonel  Haxbino,  who  were 
ordered  to  march  back  to  the  town*    On  their  firiit  en- 
trance there  appeared  a  small  body  of  Indiana,  who  im- 
mediately fled  at  the  first  onset,  and  by  that  means  de- 
coyed the  whole  body  of  the  militia,  by  making  their 
flight  in  difierent  directions,  and  encouraging  the  militia 
to  pursue ;  by  this  stratagem   the   fiew  regular  taoopa 
were  left  atone,  and  the  Indiana  had  effected   their  de- 
figo,  for  the  moment  they  found  the  email  handful  of 
regular  troops  detaQM4  from  the  turn  Mj  of  niUtiii 


I    ' 


If! 


I*. 


J:    ' 


'^M 


.96-^ 


i 


ill 


I  hi; 


■'.• 


1'  ■  hi 

■   ■    R'' 


/     V 


K«f 


1 

1 

1 

] 

r . 

•l 

1 

it 

> 

ihcf  eommenced  the  •ttack  with  their  whole  force,  ei- 
cepting  the  flying  parties  that  had  diverted  the  militia  } 
and  although  they  toon  found  tome  part  of  the  militia 
returning  on  their  backs,  pursued  their  object  of  root- 
ing and  destroying  the  troops,  as  the  only  bure  plan  of 
success ;  which  after  a  moat  bloody  conflict  on  cacb 
sidci  they  effected. 

The  regular  troops  all  to  nine,  including  two  commis* 
aioned  officers,  were  killed— i^mong  the  slain  was.  Major 
Wtllts,  and  a  number  of  brave  and  valuable  soldiers. 
The  Indians,  it  appeared*  from  some  cause,  did  not  think 
it  prudent  to  pursue  their  successes  from  the  field  of  ac- 
tion, as  most  of  the  troops  thst  were  not  killed  or  badlf 
wounded,  made  their  escape,  which  they  could  not  have 
effected  had  the  enemy  pursued  with  their  usual  furj. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  intrepidity  of  the  savagea  on 
this  occasion ;  the  militia  they  appeared  to  despise,  and 
with  all  the  uudauntedness  conceivable,  threw  down  their 
guns,  and  rushed  upon  the  bayonets  of  the  regular  sol- 
diers; a  number  of  them  fell,  but  being  so  iar  superior 
in  numbers,  the  regulars  were  soon  overpowered,  for 
while  the  poor  soldier  had  his  bayonet  in  one  Indian,  two 
more  would  sink  their  tomahawks  in  his  head.  The  de- 
feat of  the  troops  was  complete,  the  dead  and  wounded 
were  left  on  the  field  of  action,  in  possession  of  the  savages* 

Return  of  the  killed  and  wounded  upon  the  expedition 
against  the  Miami  towns,  under  the  command  of  General 
Uabuiri— 

Killed  of  the  Federal  Troops. 

I  Major,  1  Lieutenant,  73  rank  and  file — total  75.—— 
Wounded— 3  rank  and  file. 

Killed  of  the  Militia. 
1  Major,   S  Capiaina,  3  Lieutenants,  4   Ensigns,  98 
rank  and  file— total  10^    — Wounded— 3  Lieutenantsi  I 
Snsif  n,  SS  rank  and  file— total— Si/^" 


\r<k. 


, ,  ...,<>.- 


^r 


CHAP.VIL 

iXPMDITJONSOFGENMRAU  SCOTT  a»9  Wlt- 
^  KINSON, 


Im  Mir  and  Awcwtt^  NTf  1. 


6cjr.  SCOTT  i«  na  SECRETARY  of  WAR. 


iU 


SIRt 

*<  IN  prosecution  of  the  epterpriie,  I  marched 
{with  850  troops  under  mj  comniaod)  four  miles  from 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio  on  the  83d  Majr*  and  oa  the  34th 
t  resumed  laj  marchi  and  pushed  forward  with  the  ut- 
most industry,  directing  my  rout  to  Oulattanani  in  the 
best  manner  my  guides  and  information  enabled  me, 
though  I  found  myself  greatly  deficient  in  both. 

(*  By  the  31st,  I  bad  marched  one  hundred  and  thirty*, 
five  miles,  over  a  country  cut  by  four  large  branches  of 
White  River,  and  many  smaller  btreams  with  steep  mud- 
dy banks :  During  this  march,  I  traversed  a  country  al- 
ternately interspersed  with  the  molt  luxuriant  soil,  and 
deep  clayey  bogs  from  one  to  five  miles  wide,  rendered 
almost  impervious  by  brush  and  briars.  Rain  fell  in  tor- 
rents every  day,  with  frequent  blasts  of  wind  and  thunder 
atorms.  Theae  obstacles  impeded  my  progrec8|  wort 
down  my  horses,  and  destroyed  my  provisio«is.  .^■^ 

*^  On  the  morning  of  the  Ut  instant  as  the  army  enter- 
ad  an  extensive  praire,  I  perceived  an  Indian  on  horse- 
back a  few  miles  to  the  right :  I  immediately  made  a  de- 
tachment to  intercept  him,  but  he  escaped-  Finding  my- 
self discovered,  I  determined  to  advance  with  all  the  ra- 
pidity my  circumstances  would  permit,  rather  with  the 
hope,  than  the  expectation  of  reaching  the  object  sought 
that  day  i  for  my  guides  were  strangers  to  the  country 
which  I  occupied.  At  1  o'clockt  having  marched  by 
N 


.i'.»l^' 


^^. 


:  I 


'!W 


'^: 


I 

ill 
11 


;,  < 


• 


j;  ^i 


computation  one  hundred  and  Uny^five  mile*  from  the 
Ohio»  ••  I  peneiiHtcd  •  grove  which  bordered  on  an  ex- 
lentive  pranr,  I  discovered  two  tmall  viiiagca  to  mj  left* 
at  two  and  four  miles  distance. 

**  Mjr  guides  now  recognised  the  ground  and  informed 
me  that  the  main  town  was  four  or  five  miles  in  tnj  front* 
behind  a  point  of  wood  which  jutted  into  the  prarie.  I 
immediately  detached  Col.  JoBM  Hardin,  with  60  mount- 
til  infant! y,  and  a  troop  of  light  horse  under  Captain 
M'Cor,  to  attack  the  villages  to  the  left,  and  moved  on 
briskly  with  my  main  body  in  order  of  battle  towards  the 
towui  the  amoke  from  which  was  diacernible.  My  guides 
were  deceived  with  respect  to  the  situation  of  the  town  i 
for  instead  of  standing  at  the  edge  of  the  plain  through 
which  I  marched,  I  found  in  the  low  ground  bordering 
on  the  Waba«h,  on  turning  the  point  of  wooda,  one  house 
presented  in  my  front.  Capt.  Pbici  was  ordered  to  as- 
sault that  with  forty  men  t  He  executed  the  command 
with  great  gallantry,  and  killed  two  warriors. 

'*  When  I  gained  the  summit  of  the  eminence  which 
overlooks  the  villages  on  the  banks  of  the  Wabash,  I  dis- 
covered the  enemy  in  great  confusion,  endeavoring  to 
make  their  escape  over  the  river  in  canoes.  I  instantly 
ordf red  Lieutenant.Colonel  Commandant  Wilkivsom  to 
rash  forward  with  the  first  battalion ;  the  order  was  exe- 
cuted with  promtitude,  and  this  detachment  gained  th« 
bank  of  the  river  just  aa  the  rear  of  the  enemy  had  em- 
barked :  And  regardless  of  a  brisk  fire  kept  up  from  a 
Xickapoo  town  on  the  opposite  bank,  they  in  a  few  min- 
utes, by  a  well  directed  fire  from  their  rifles,  destroyed  all 
the  savages  with  which  five  canoes  were  crowded. 

"  The  enemy  still  kept  possession  of  the  Kickapo* 
town.  I  determined  to  dislodge  them,  and  for  the  pur« 
pose  ordered  captains  King's  and  Logsdon's  companiea 
to  march  down  the  river  below  the  town  and  cross  under 


'■^■* 


\r 


\ 


%■ 


1 

th«  condact  of  Major  Baibii  t    Several  of  the  men 
awam  the  river»   and  othera  patted  in  a  imall  canoe.— 
Thia  movement  was  unobaenred*  and  my  men  had  taken 
poat  on  the  bank  bcfrire  thejr  were  discovered  bjr  the  ene* 
mj  who  immediately  abandoned  the  village.— About  thia 
time  word  was  brought  me  that  Col.  Hakdin  waaincom* 
bered  with  priaonera,  and  had  discorered  a  stronger  vil* 
lage  further  to  my  left,  than  those  I  had  observed,  which 
he  W88  proceeding  to  attack*     I  immediately  de'ached 
Capt.  BaowN  with  hia  company  te  support  the  Colonel ; 
but  the  distance  beinR^  six  miles,  before  the  captain  ar- 
rived the  business  was  donci  and  Col.  Hardin  joined  me 
little  before  sunset,  having  killed  six  warriors  and  taken 
fifty*two  prisoners.    Captain  Bullj  the  warrior  who  dis- 
covered me  in  the  morning  ^ad  gained  the  main  town 
and  given  the  alarm  a  short  time  before  me  ;  but  the  vil- 
lagea  to  the  left  were  uninformed  of  my  approach  and 
had  no  retreat.    The  next  morning  I  determined  to  de- 
tach my  Lieut.  Col.  Commandant  with  five  hundred  men, 
to  deatroy  the  important  town  of  Ketblipecanunk,  at  the 
mouth  of  Eel  river,  eighteen  milea  from  my  camp,  and 
on  the  west  side  of  Wabash.    But  on  examination  I  dis- 
covered my  men  and  boraes  to  be  crippled  and  worn  dowp 
by  a  long  laborious  march,  and  the  active  exertions  of  the 
preceding  day ;  that  three  hundred  and  sixty  men  on!y 
could  be  found  in  capacity  to  undertake  the  enterprise, 
and  they  prepared  to  march  on  foot. 

**  Col.  Wilkinson  marched  with  thia  detachment  at 
half  after  five  in  the  evening,  and  returned  to  my  camp 
the  next  day  at  one  o'clock,  having  marched  thiitysi^ 
miles  in  twelve  hours,  and  destroyed  the  most  important 
feitlement  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter  of  the  federal 
terittory. 

♦'The  following  is  Col.  WiLXiNsoN'e   report  respect- 
ing the  enterprise  :-^ 


■  -jp^     Mr;:   *  « 


■-•i?:^ 


ri 

ir 

I 

t 

w 

s 
! 

,1 

1 

,    i  ■ 

1 

1 

1 

f 

1 

1i  ■  I' 


>    I 


ill 


7-iao«; 


'Wi^,'- 


M 


\  ' 


*t  Sir— The  detacbn^t  «ndcr  mj  coiniiiiiid»  dettiofe^ 
to  attack  ihe  village  KwnlipecanuDk,  was  put  in  motioQ 
■t  half  after  S  o'clock  last  tvening.  Knowing  that  an 
enemj  whose  chief  dependence  is  in  his  dexteritf  as  4 
maiksmaD)  and  alertness  In  covering  himself  behind 
trees,  8t|iniBSi  and  other  impedinients  to  fair  sight} 
would  not  hazard  an  action  in  the  light,  I  determined  to^ 
push  my  march  until  I  approached  the  vicinity  oi  tho  ^  :/^ 
villages  where  I  knew  the   country  to  be  chatnpaigne*  ^/^: 

I  gained  my  point  without  a  halt,  twenty  minutes  before  '^*^' 

I I  o'clock ;  lay  upon  my  arms  until  4  o'clock,  and   half 
an  hour  after  assaulted  the  town  at  ail  quarters.    The    ~ 
enemy  was  vigilant,  gave  way  on  my  approach,   and   ii|      ■■* 
canoes  crossed  Eel  creek,  which  washed   the    northeast  ^ 
part  of  the  town.— That  creek  vsas  not   fordalble.    My 
corps  dashed  forward  with   the  impetuosity  becomin|^ 
Tolunteers,  and  were  saluted  by  the  enemy  with  a  bria^ 
fire  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek.'   Dauntless  thef  ^  '^ 
rushed  on  to  the  water's  edge,  and  finding  the   river  im> 
passable,  returned  a  volley,  which  so  galled  and  discon.  k<^' 
certed  their  antagonists,  that  they'threw  away   their  fire 
without  effect.    In  five  minutes  the  Indians  were  driven  '^^' 
from  the  Covering,  and  fled   with  precipitation.    I  have  ^ 
three  men  slightly  wounded.     At   halt   past   5  the  towi> 
was  in  i^ames,  and  at  6  o'clock  I  commenced   my  re- 
treat."    ^  *'*-«'-*      "lam  Sir,   Yours  &c. 

^       >^  JAMES  WILKINSON." 

BrigadierGeneral  Scotr, 


%  ■"'. 


IS  t: 


i 


«  Many  of  the  inhabitants   of  Kithlipecanunk   wert 
J^rench,  and  lived  in  z  state  of  civilization  ;— misunder* 
standing  the  object  of  a  white  flag,  which   appeared  o^  '^■■•^\ 
an  eminence  opposite  to  m*,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  first,  *, 
I  liberated  an  aged  squaw,  and  sent  with  her  a  message 
to  the  savages^  that  if  they  would  come  in  and  snrren- 


«kr,  Ibcir  tovni  thoold  be  tparedf  ^  thef  thoiild  rf$ 
ceire  good  treatment.  [It  was  amKrardt  iband  tiMt 
tbie  white  flag  was  not  intended  at  a  aign^of  perlef, 
but  was  placed  there  to  mark  the  spot  where  a  person  of 
distinction  among  the  Indians,  vbo  bad  died  some  time 
beforoi  was  interred.)  On  the  4th)  I  determined  t^  dla« 
charge  IC  of  the  weakest  and  most  infirm  of  my  prison- 
ers with  e  talk  to  the  Wabash  tribea,  a  copjr  of  which 
follows.  M)r 'motives  to  this  treasure  were*  to  rid  the 
army  of  a  heavy  incumbrance,  to  gratify  the  impulses  of 
hnmaoity,  to  increase  the  panick  my  operations  had  pro- 
duced, and  by  distracting  the  council  of  the  enemy,  to 
fitvoor  the  Yiews  of  government.  <»  units'  •«  *    •'^■'  f 

**  On  the  same  day,  after  having  burned  the  iowne 
and  adjacent  villages,  and  destroyed  the  growing  com 
and  pulse,  I  began  my  march  for  the  rapids  of  Ohio» 
where  I  arrived  the  Uth,  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
man  by  the  enemy,  find  five  only  wounded,  having  kil* 
led  thirty-two,  chiefly  warriors  of  sise  and  figure,  and 
taken  fifty-eight  prisoners.'*  ^i 


f  \ 


i  /■■ 


ti' 


To  the  ^ariout  tribes  of  the  PeMnkashaws^  and  all  the  na* 
tions  of  Bed  People,  living  on  the  waters  of  the  Wa- 
bash Rtver* 
<'  THE  Sovereign  Councir  of  the  Thirteen    United 
States,  have  long  patiently   borne  your  depredations  a* 
gainst  their  settlements  on  this  side  of  the  great  moun- 
tains, in  hope  that  you  would  see  your  error,  and  cor- 
rect it,  by  entering  into  bonds  of  amity   and   lasting 
peace.    Moved  by  comp^ission,  and  pitying  your  mis- 
guided councils,  they  have  frequently  addressed  you  on 
this  subject,  but  without  effect.   At  length  their  patience 
is  exhausted,  and  they  have  stretched  forth  the  arm  of 
power  against  you<    Their  mighty  sons  and  chief  warrt* 
ors  have  at  length  taken  up  the  hatehet,  they  have  pene- 


i 


,  ■'  .     ' 


■r 


V  I  '< 


'  .  V- 


trated  faf  into  your  counir]r»  ">  meet  jour  warriori;  ahd 
punifth  them  Tor  tAir  transgretftions.    But  you  fled  be- 
fore them  and  decline  the  battle,  leaving  your  wivea  add 
children  to  their  mercy.    They  have  dettroyed  your  old 
town,  Ouiattanau,  and  the  neighboring  Titlages,  and  have 
taken  many  prisoners.    Resting  here  two  days,  to  give 
you  time  to  collect  your  strength,  they  have  proceeded 
•o  your  town  of  Kctnlipecanunk ;  but  you  again  fled  be- 
fore them  i  and  that  great  town  has  been  destroyed.    Af* 
ter  giving  >ou  this  evidence  of  their  power,  they  have 
•lopped  their  hands,  because  they  are  as   merciful  as 
strong,  and  they  again  indulge  the  hope,  that  you  will 
come  to  a  sense  of  your  true   interest,  and  determine  to 
make  a  lasting  peace  with  them  and  ail  their  children 
forever.    I'be   Uoited  States  have  no  desire  to  destroy 
the  red  people,  although  they  have  the  power ;  but  should 
you  decline  this  invitation,  and  pursue  your  unprovoked 
hostilities,  their  strength  will  again  be  exerted  against 
you,  your  warriors  will  be  slaughtered,  your  wives  and 
children  carried  into  captivity^  and  you  may  be  assured) 
that  those  who  escape  the  fury  of  our  mighty  chiefs,  shall 
6nd  no  resting  place  on  this  side  the  Great  Lakes.    The 
warriors  of  the  United  States  wish  not  to  distress  or  de- 
stroy women  and  children,  or  old  meoi  and  although  po- 
licy obliges  them  to  retain  some  in  captivity,  yet  compas. 
aion  and  humanity  hhve  induced  them  to  set  others  at 
liberty,  who  will  deliver  you  this  talk.    Those  who  are 
carried  off*  will  be  left  in  the  care  of  our  great  chief  and 
warrior  Gen.  St.  Clair,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Miami 
and  oppnsi  e  to  the  Licking  River,  where  they  will  be 
tieated  with  humanly  and  tenderness ;  if  you  wish  to  re- 
cover them,  repair  to  that  place  by  the  firht  day  of  July 
next :  determine  with  true  hearts  to  bury  the  hatchet 
and  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace,  they  will  then  be  restored 
to  yoU|  and  you  may  again  set  down  in  security  at  your 


,'*: 


m^ 


— IOS-> 


old  townsi  tnd  live  in  peace  and  happiness,  unmolested 
bf  the  people  of  the  United  States,  who  will  become 
your  friends  and  protectors,  and  will  be  ready  to  furnish 
you  wilb  all  the  necessaries  you  may  require.  But  should 
you  foolishly  persist  in  your  warfare,  the  sons  of  war  will 
be  let  loose  again&t  you,  and  the  hatchet  will  never  be  bu- 
ried until  your  country  is  desolated,  and  your  people 
humbled  to  the  dust."  ..  vj 

(Signed)         CHARLES  SCOTT.  Brig.  Gen.   i 


'    ji  i; 


GENERAL  WILKINSON'S  EXPEDITION. 


GENERAL  WILKINSON  to  GOVERNOR  ST,  CLAIR. 


*  HAVING  carried  into  complete  effect  the  enter- 

prize  which  you  were  pleased  to  direct  against  L'An- 
guille,  and  having  done  the  savages  eveiy  other  damage 
on  the  Wabash,  to  which  I  conceived  my  force  adequate, 
I  embrace  the  first  moment's  recess  from  active  duty  to 
detail  to  your  Excellency  the  operations  of  the  expcdi* 
tion  intrusted  to  my  conduct* 

I  left  the  neighborhood  of  Fort>Washing(on  on  the 
first  inst.  at  one  o'clock,  and  egreeable  to  my  original 
plan,  feinted  boldly  at  the  Miami  villages,  by  the  most 
direct  course  the  nature  of  the  ground,  over  which  I 
had  to  march,  would  permit  ;  I  persevered  in  this  plan 
until  the  morning  of  the  4>h  inst.  and  thereby  avoided 
the  hunting  ground  of  the  enemy,  and  the^paths  which 
led  direct  from  White  River  to  the  Wabash,  leaving  the 
head  waters  of  the  first  to  my  left  ;  I  then  bei:)g  about 
teventy  miles  advanced  of  Fort  Washington,  turned 
north-west.  I  made  no  discovery  until  the  5th,  about  9 
9'clockj  A*  M*  wbea  I  crossed   three  much  frequented 


I'.iH 


i.',; 


.:^mSS. 


F:   ^ 


^io4-^ 


':-  .1-.'    -  7-   ' 


Hi 


k 


m 


Ife. 


i  ^1- 


I 


ii 


jiHUt  within  two  miles  of  each  other,  end  lU  beirih^ 
^ait  ol  nortli ;  mj  guides  were  urgent  for  me  to  follow 
these  paths,  which  betreyed  their  ignorance  of  the  coon* 
trjt  and  convinced  me  I  had  to  depend  on  mj  own 
judgment  only.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  daf ,  I  was  o- 
bliged  to  cross  a  deep  bog,  which  injured  several  of  m|^ 
horses  exceedingly,  and  a  few  miles  beyond  I  struck  a 
path  bearing  north  by  west,  marlced  hf  the  recent  foot- 
steps ol  five  or  sis  savages.  My  guides  renewed  their 
application  to  me  to  follow  this  path,  but  I  pursued  my 
own  course.  I  bad  not  got  clear  of  my  encampment, 
next  morning,  before  my  advance  reported  an  impassa- 
ble  bog,  in  my  front,  extending  several  miles  on  either 
hand,  and  the  guides  asserted  that  the  whole  country  to 
the  Wabash  was  cut  by  such  bogs,  and  that  it  would  be 
impossible  for  roc  to  proceed  unless  I  followed  the  In- 
dian paths,  which  avoided  these  bogs,  or  led  through 
them  at  places  where  they  were  least  difficult.  Although 
I  paid  little  regard  to  this  information,  as  delay  was  dan- 
l^erous,  and  every  thing  depended  on  the  preservation  of 
my  horses,  I  determined  to  return  to  the  light,  and  fall 
into  the  path  I  had  passed  the  evening  before,  which  va- 
ried in  its  course  from  N*  by  W.  to  N.  £•  The  country 
bad  now  become  pondy,  in  every  direction,  I  therefore 
resolved  to  pursue  this  paih  until  noon,  in  the  hope  that 
it  would  conduct  me  to  better  ground,  or  to  some  devi« 
ous  trace  which  might  lead  (o  the  object  sought. 

At  7  o'clock  I  crossed  an  east  branch  of  Calumet  riv- 
er, about  40  yards  wide,  and  about  noon  my  advance 
guard  fired  on  a  small  party  of  warriors  and  took  a  pris- 
oner, the  rest  run  off  to  the  eastward.  I  halted  about  U 
mile  beyond  the  spot  where  this  affair  happened,  and  on 
examining  the  prisoner  found  him  to  be  a  Delaware,  liv- 
ing near  the  site  of  the  lute  Miami  village,  which  he 
informed  was  about  thirty  miles  distant ;  I  immediately 


>Ki 


— lOS— 

i«th>gaded  Tonr  ro!1e«,  tnd  filed  off  bf  the  right  oVcr  mito 
riting  groundi  which  I  had  obterted  between  the  eeu 
branch'  of  the  Calumet  river  and  a  creek  four  or  fivtt 
miles  advance  of  it,  taking  my  course  N.  60  W*  Thia 
measure  fortunately  extricated  roe  from  the  bogs  and 
ponds,  and  soon  placed  me  on  firm  ground ;  late  in  the 
afternoon  I  crossed  one  paih  running  from  N.  to  S.  and , 
shortly  after  fell  in  with  another  varying  from  N.  W.  to 
N.  I  pursued  thi»  about  twi^  miles,  when  I  encamped— 
but  finding  it  still  inclining  northward,  I  determined  to 
ftbandon  it  hi  the  morning.  I  resumed  my  march  on  the 
f  th  at  4  o'clock,  the  Calumet  being  to  the  westward  of  me 
1  was  fearful  I  should  strike  the  Wabash  too  high  up, 
and  perhaps  fall  in  with  the  small  town,  which  you  men- 
tioned to  me  at  the  mouth  of  the  former  river.  I  there- 
fore steered  a  due  west  course,  and  at  6  o'clock  A.  M* 
crossed  a  road  much  used  both  by  horse  and  foot,  bearing 
due  north.  I  now  knew  that  I  was  near  a  Shawanese  vil- 
lage, generally  supposed  to  be  on  the  waters  of  White 
river,  but  actually  on  the  waters  of  the  Calumet,  and 
was  sensible  that  every  thing  depended  on  the  celerity  and 
iilence  of  my  movements,  as  my  real  object  had  become 
manifest,  I  therefore  poshed  my  march  vigorously,  leav. 
ing  an  ofiicer  and  20  men  in  ambush  to  watch  the  road,  . 
in  order  to  intercept  or  beat  off  any  party  of  the  enemy 
which  might  casually  be  passing  that  way,  and  thereby 
prevent  as  long  at  possible  the  discovery  of  my  real  in- 
tentions. 

At  8  o'clock  I  crossed  Calumet  river,  now  80  yards 
wide,  and  running  down  N.  X.  W.  I  was  now  sensible 
from  my  reckoning  compared  with  my  own  observations, 
during  the  late  expedition  under  Gen.  Scott,  and  the 
information  received  frbm  your  Excellency  and  others, 
that  I  could  not  be  very  far  from  L'Anguille.  The  par- 
ty left  at  the  road ,  sooa  fell  in  with  four  warriors  encamp- 


f    i 


I 


I ; 


-.lt)6-> 


m! 


H^  ■' 


m 


•d  half  a  mile  from  the  right  of  my  line  of  «n»rch,  killed 
one  and  drove  off  the  others  to  the  northward.     Mf  situ*    • 
ftiion  had  now  become  extremely  critical,  the  wholecoun*  ' 
try  to  ti.e  north  being  in  alarm,  which  mf>de  me  greatly 
anxious  to  continue  my  march  during  the  night,  but  ( 
had  no  path  to  direct  me,  and  it  was  Impossible  to  keep 
my  course,  or  for   horsemen  tu  march  through  a  thick 
awampy  country  in  utter  darknebs.     1  quitted  my  camp 
on  the  7th,  as  soon  as  I  couUl  see  my  way,  crosstd  ont 
path  at  three  miles  diitance,  bearing  N.  E.  and  at  seven 
miles  fell  into  another  very  much  used,  bearing  N.  W* 
by  N.  which  I  at  once  adopted,  as  the  direct  rout  to  mj 
object,  and  pushed  forward  with  the  utmost  despatch*    I 
hailed  at  12  o'clock  to  refresh  the  horses,,  and  examine 
the  men's  arms  and  ammunition  ;  marched  again  at  half 
iiterone,  and  at  15  minutes  before  five  I  struck  the  Wa- 
bash, at  one  and  a  half  leiguea  above  the  mouth  of  Eel 
river,  being  the  very  spot  for  which  I  had  aimed  from 
the  commencement  of  my  march.     I  crossed  the  river 
and  following  the  peih  a  N.  by  £.  course,  at  the  distance 
of  two  and  an  half  miles,  my  reconnoitreing  party  aa- 
nouncetl  Eel  river  in  front,  a'nd  the  town  on  the  opposite 
bank*     I  dismounted,  ran  forward,  and  examined  the  sit- 
uation of  the  town  as  far  as  was  practicable  without  ex. 
posing  myself,  but  the  whole  face  of  the  country  from 
the  Wabash  to  the  margin  of  Eel  river,  being  a  continu- 
ed thicket  of  brambles,  black  jacks,  weeds  and  shiubs,  of 
Tarious  kind^,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  get  a  satisfac- 
tory view  without  endangering  a  discovery*    I  immedi- 
fttely  determined  to  post  two  companies  near  the  bank  of 
the  river  opposite  to  the  town,  and  above  the  ground  I  then 
occupied,  to  make  a  detour  with  Major  Caldwell,  and 
the  second  battalion,  until  I  fell  into  the  Miami  trace,  and 
by  that  route  to  cross  the  river  above,  and  gain  the  rear 
of  the  lowO)  and  to  leave  directions  wiih  Maj*  M'Dowxlli 


:■  jS*. 


*-ier— 


•c- 


who  commanded  the  first  batufionf  to  lie  perdae  unttt  f 
'Commenced  the  attack,  then  to  dash  through  the  river 
with  his  corps  and  the  advanced  guard,  and  assault  the 
bouses  in  front  and  upon  the  left. 

In  the  moment  I  was  about  to  put  this  arrangement  in- 
to  execution,  word  was  brought  me  that  the  enemy  had 
taken  the  alarm  and  were  flying.— I  instantly  oidered  a 
general  charge,  which  was  obeyed  with  alacrity,  the  men 
forcing  their  way  over  every  obstacle,  plunged  through 
the  river  with  vast  intrepidity. — The  enemy  was  unable 
|0  make  the  smallest  resiaCance.— >i)ix  waniors  and  (in 
the  hurry  and  confusion  of  the  charge)  two  squaws  and 
m  child  were  killed— >thirty-four  prisoners  were  taken,  and 
an   unfortunate  captive  released—- with  the  loss  of  two 
men  killed,  and  one  wounded.— 1  found  thi^own  scatter* 
ed  along  Eel  river  for  full  three  miles,  on  an  uneven 
thrubby  oak  barren,  intersected  alterna'ely  by  bogs  al- 
most impassable,  and  impervious  thickets  of  plumb  and 
hAzle.—- Notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  if  I  may  credit 
the  repot  t  of  the  prisoners,  very  few  who  were  in  town 
escaped  ;  expecting  a  second  expedition,  their  goods  were 
generally  packed  up  or  buried.— Sixty  warriors  had  cro%- 
aed  the  Wabash  to  watch   the  paths  leading  from  the 
Ohio ;  the  head  chief  with  all  the  prisoners  und  a  num- 
ber of  families  were  out,  digging  a  root,  which  they  sub 
atituie  in  the  place  of  the  potaioe,  and  about  one  hour 
before  my  arrival,  all  the  warriors,  except  eight,   had 
mounted  their  horses  and  rode  up  the  river  to  a  French 
Blore  to  purchase   ammunition.— This  ammunition  had 
ariived   from  the   Miami  tillage  that  very  day,  and  the 
squaws   informed   mu  was  stored  about  two  milfs  Irom 
town.     I  detached  Major  Caldwell  m  quest  of  it,  but 
•    he  failed  to  make  any  discovery,  although  he  scoured  the 
country  for  seven  or  eight  mile*  up  the  river.  I  encamp- 
ed in  ihe  town  thai  night,  and  the  next  mornin|;  I  c;ut  t}p 


•^lOt-^ 


iiill 


\\ 


l?i 


■  ij 


the  corn  ictKcIf  in  the  milk,  burnt  the  cabine,  moaBted 
mj  young  werrlort,  bquaws  and  children  in  ihe  beat  man- 
ner in  roy  power,  and  leafing  two  inEim  iquawa  and  a 
child  with  a  short  tallc  (which  will  be  found  annexed)  I 
commenced  mjr  march  for  the  Kickapoo  town  in  the 
praire— -I  felt  my  prisoners  a  vait  incumbrance,  but  I  , 
was  not  in  force  to  jusiify  a  detachment;  having  barely 
533  rank  and  file,  and  being  then  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Ouiattanon  country,  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  re- 
moTed  from  succour,  and  not  more  than  one  and  a  half 
days  forced  mareh  from  the  Paitawamees,  Shawanese 
and  Dela wares.  "^ 

Not  being  able  to  discoTer  any  path  in  the  direct  cnurte 
to  the  Kickapoo  town,  I  marched  by  the  road  leading  to 
Tippecanoe,,  in  the  hope  of  finding  some  diverging  traco 
which  might  favour  my  design.— I  encamped  that  even* 
ing  about  six  miles  from   Kenapacomnque,    the  Indian 
name  for  the  town  I  had  destroyed,  and   marched  next 
morning  at  four  o'clock.— My  course  continued  west  till 
about  nine  o'clock,  when  I  turned  to  the  north  west  on  a 
email  hunting  path,  and  at  a  short  distance  I   launched 
into  the  boundless  praries  of  the  west,  with  the  inten- 
tion to  pursue  that  course,  until  I  should  strike   a  road 
which  leads  from  the  Pattawamees   of  Lake  Michigan, 
immediately  to  the  town  I  sought.     With  this  view  I 
pushed  forward,  through  bog   after  bogt  to   the  saddle 
skirts  in  mud  and  water,  and  after  persevering  for  eight 
hours,  I  found  myself  environed  on   all  sides   with  mo* 
rasses  which  forbade  my    advancing,    and  at   the  same 
'  time  rendered  it  difficult  for  me  to  extricate  my  little  ar- 
my*   The  way  by  which  we  had  entered  was  so   miKh 
beat  and  softened  by  the  horses,  that  it  was  almost    im- 
possible to  return  by  that  route,  and  my  guides  pronoun-^ 
ced  the  morass  in   front   impassable.— A   chain   of  thin 
groyea  extending  in  the  direction  to  the  Wabash,  at  this 


"I";*- 


—lot— 

time  pretented  to  tnj  Ie(^,  .it  wa«  neceuary  T  ibooM  gain 
these  groves,  and  for  this  purpose  I  dismounted,  went 
fonrardi  and  leading  mj  liorse  (hrougli  a  bog  to  the  arm- 
pits in  mud  and  water,  with  d  fficuly  and  fatigue  I  ac- 
complished mjr  object,  and  changing  mjr  course  to  S.  hj 
W*  I  regained  the  Tippedanoe  road  at  ft  o'clock,  and 
encamped  on  it  at  7  o'clock,  after  a  march  of  thirty 
miles,  which  broke  down  several  of  n*y  horses.  "' 

I  am  the  more  minute  in  detailing  the  occurrences  of 
thh  day,  because  they  produced  the  most  unfavoiii^able 
effect*  I  was  in  motion  at  four  next  morning,  and  at 
eight  o'clock  my  advanced  guard  made  some  discoveries, 
which  induced  me  to  beleve  we  were  near  an  Indian  vil- 
lage. I  immediately  pushed  that  body  forward  in  a  trot, 
and  followed  with  Major  Calowbll,  and  the  2nd  bat- 
talion, leaving  Major  M'Oowell  to  take  charge  of  the 
prisoners.'  I  reached  Tippecanoe  at  12  o'clock,  which 
had  been  occupied  by  the  enemy,  who  watched  my  mo- 
tions and  abandoned  the  place  that  morning.  After  the 
destruction  of  this  town  in  June  last,  the  enemy  had  re- 
turned and  cuhirated  their  corn  and  pulse,  which  I  found 
in  high  perfection  and  in  much  greater  quantity  than  at 
L'Anguille.  To  refresh  my  horses  and  give  time  to  cut 
down  the  coi^n,  I  determined  to  halt  until  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  then  resun>e  my  march  to  the  Rickapoo  town  ia 
the  praire,  by  the  road  which  leads  from  Ouiattanon  to 
that  place.  In  the  course  of  the  day  I  had  discovered 
some  murmuring?  and  discontent  among  the  men,  which 
I  found  on  enquiry  to  proceed  from  their  reluctance  to 
advance  into  the  enemy's  country ;  this  induced  me  to 
call  for  a  state  of  the  horses  and  provisions,  when  to  my 
great  mortification  270  horses  were  returned  lame  and 
tired,  with  barely  five  day's  provisions  for  the  men. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  was  compelled  to  aban- 
don my  designs  upon  the  Kickapoos  of  the  praire,    and 


■.»'>;'■ 


I- ' 


■,\4 

1 
t 


■ 

■I 

1 

! 


^^# 


m 


w 
n 


I . 


V  ' 


:1 


II; 


i? 


m 


.^■ 


#^ 


with  •  degree  of  anguish  not  to  be  comprehended  bat  bf 
thoie  who  have  experienced  •nnilar  ditap|K)intments  i  I 
marchtd  forward  to  a  town  of  the  tame  nation*  sitoato 
about  three  leagues  west  of  Ouiattanon— >a6  I  advanced 
to  the  town,  the  enemy  made  some  shew  of  fighting  me« 
but  vanished  at  my  approach.    I  destroyed  this  town* 
consiK'ing  of  thiny  houses,  with  a  considerable  quantity 
of  corn  in  the  milk,  and  the  same  day  I  moved  on  to  Oui* 
attanon*  where  I  forded  the  Wabash,  and   proceeded  to  . 
the  site  of  the  villages  on  the  margin  of  the  praire,  where 
I  encamped  at  seven  o'clock.     At  this  town  and  the  vil- 
lages de!>troyed  by  Gen.  Scott  in   June*  we  found  the 
corn  had  been  re-planted*  and  was  now  in  high  cultiva*  ' 
tion,  several  fields  being  well  ploughed,  all  which  we  de« 
atroyed.     On  the  12th,  I  resumed  my  march,  and  falling 
into  Gen.  Scott's  return  trace,  I  arrived  without  mate- 
rial accident  at  the  rapids  of  Ohio,  on  the  9 1st  lost,  after 
ft  march,  by  accurate  computation,  of  451   mllcft  irom 
Fort  Washington. 

The  services  which  I  have  been  able  to  render  fall 
short  of  my  wishes,  my  intention  and  expectation— but^ 
Sir,  when  yau  reflect  on  the  causes  which  checked  ntjr 
career,  and  blasted  my  designs,  I  flatter  myself  you  will 
believe  every  think  has  been  done  wliich  could  be  done  in 
my  circums'ances ;  I  have  destroyed  the  chief  town  of 
the  Ouiattanon  nation,  and  made  prisoner^  the  sons  and 
sisters  of  the  king  ;  1  have  burnt  a  respectable  Kickapoo 
village,  and  cut  down  at  least  430  acres  of  corn,  chitflf 
in  the  milk.  The  Ouiattanons  left  without  houses,  home 
or  provision,  must  cea^e  to  war,  and  will  find  active  em. 
ploy  to  subsist  their  squaws  and  children  during  the  im- 
pending winter. 

Should  these  services  secure  to  the  country  which  I 
immediately  represented,  and  (he  cofps  which  I  had  the 
honor  to  command,  the  favorable  cunaiue  ration  of  goverii- 


-fll- 


mentt  I  thall  infer  the  ■pprobation  of  mj  own  conduct, 
which,  added  to  «  conscioutnens  of  having  done  my  dutf  i 
will  constitute  the  richest  rcwutd  I  can  enjoy* 
i-  With  the  mo^i  perfect  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
your  Excellent  y's  obedient  and  moat  humble  tervjnt. 

JAMES  WILKINSON.  < 
"     Gcv,  St.  Claim. 


♦••*y 


Jin 


one  in 

wn  bf 

IS  and 

lapoo 

hitfif 

home 

em. 

e  im- 

lich  I 

id  the' 

)vern- 


A  Talk  from .  Cohnel  WiLKiNnow,  to   the  Indian  Nattont 
living  on  the  river  Wabash, 

"  THE  arms  of  the  United  States  are  again  ex- 
erted against  you,  and  again  your  towns  are    in   tiamesf 
and  your  wives  and  children  made   captives— again   you 
are  cautioned  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  reason,  to   sue  for 
peace,  and  submit  to  the  protection  of  the  UnMcd  Sti^eSi 
who  are  willing  to  become  your  friend  v  and  futhtrs  ;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  are  determined  to  puni&h  you  for  eve* 
ry  injury  you  may  offer  to  their  children.     Regard  not 
those  evil  counsellors,  who,  to  secure  to  themselves    the 
benefits  of  your  trade,  advise  you  to  measures  which  in* 
volve  you,  your  women  and  children,  in  trouble  and  dis. 
lre!>s.     The  United  States  wish  to  give    you   peace  ;    be- 
cause it  U  good  m  the  eyes  of  the  Great   Spirit,  that  all 
his  children  should  unite  and  live  like   brothers  ;  but    if 
you  foolishly  prefer  war,  their  warriors  are  ready  to  meet 
you  in  battle,  and  will  not  be  the  lirbt  to   lay   down  the 
hatchet.     You  may  find  your  squaws  and  your   children 
under  the    protection  of  our  great  chief  and    warrior 
General  St.  Clair,  at    Fort  Washington  i  to    him   you 
will  make  all  applications,  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners, 
W  for  peace.  JAMES  WILKINSON." 


■.-»v,  -i 


■■  w 


ti 


'*•,'■;:•?.  ■;.; 


i    i-. 


CHAP.  VIII. 

t 

DEFEAT  OP  GENERAL  ST.  CLAtVt. 
By  thk  iND!ANS^ir9l. 


Gmw.  ST.  CLAIR  r»  «•«•  SECRETARY  or  WAR. 


hi 


«•  Fort  Wathington,  Nov.  9,  1/91. 

"SIR, 

«  YESTERDAY  Afternoon  the  rero«ini  of  th« 
army  under  my  commard  got  back  to  thU  place,  and  1 
have  now  the  painful  ta«k  to  give  an  account  of  ai  warm, 
and  ai  unfortunate  an  |ction  at  almost  any  that  has  been 
fought,  in  which  every  corps  was  engaged  and  worstcdf 
•xcepi  the  first  regiment,  that  had  been  detached  upon  a 
service  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  in  my  last  des. 
patch,  and  hud  not  joined  me. 

On  the  3d  inst.  the  army  had  reached  a  creek  about 
twelve  yards  wide  running  to  the  southward  of  west, 
■irhieh  I  believe  to  have  been  the  river  St.  Mary,  that 
empties  into  the  Miami  of  the  lake,  arriv^O  at  the  village 
ibout  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  having  marched  near  9 
miles,  and  were  immediately  encamped  upon  a  very  com- 
manding piece  of  ground  in  two  lines,  having  the  above 
mentioned  creek  in  front,  the  right  wing  composed  of 
Sutler's,  Clarke's,  and  Pattersom's  battalions,  com- 
manded by  MajorGeneral  Butler,  formed  the*first  line, 
and  the  Ic  wing  consisting  oi  Bedimoer's  and  Gan 
TBER'fl  battalions,  and  the  second  regiment  commanded 
by  Col.  Darke,  formed  the  second  line,  with  an  interval 
between  them  of  about  seventy  yards,  wki^h  was  all  the 
ground  would  allow. 

The  right  flank  was  pretty  well  secored  by  the  creek,  s 
iteepbank,  oind  Faulkbner's  corps,  some  of  the  cavalry 
and  their  piqueL  covered  the  left  flank :  the  militia  were 


/ 


•f 


»l 


-^111^ 


'%^. 


tflfOVa  over  the  ereek  end  tdvanced  tboot  rmc.  qnarter  of 
•  mile,  and  encamped  in  the  tame  order;  'here  were  a 
few  Indians  who  appeared  on  the  opposi'i  (nJc  of  tb« 
creek,  but,  fled  with  the  utmo»t  precipita  on  on  th<  ,fi> 
Vance  of  the  militia  \  at  this  place,  which  I  judge  H  to  be 
about  11  milea  from  the  Miami  village,  I  had  detci  mined 
to  throw  up  a  alight  work,  the  plan  of  which  waa  con- 
certed that  everinf^  with  Maj.  Fbrouson,  wherein  to 
have  depoiited  le  i  iKn's  knapsacks,  and  everjr  thing  else 
that  waa  "ot  /  .  v  /*/e  neccssitj,  and  to  have  moved  on 
to  attac'k  me  enemy  n%  soon  as  the  first  regiment  waa 
com*;-  up,  uui  iliey  did  not  permit  me  to  etecute  either  I 
for  OM  the  4th,  about  half  an  hour  beTore  Bun*rise,  and 
when  the  men  lud  been  just  ditmissed  from  the  parade, 
(for  it  wa«  a  constant  practice  for  to  have  them  all  under 
arms  a  considerab'e  time  before  li(;;ht,)  an  attack  waa 
made  upon  the  militia ;  those  gave  way  in  a  very  little 
time,  and  rushed  into  camp,  through  Maj.  RuTLBR'a  bat- 
talion, which,  together  with  part  of  Clark's  they  threw 
into  considerable  disorder,  and  which,  notwithstanding 
the  exertions  of  both  there  cflicers,  was  never  altogether 
remedied,  the  Indians  following  close  at  their  heels  ;  the 
tire  however  of  the  front  line  checked  them,  but  almost 
instantaneously  a  very  heavy  attack  began  upon  that  line, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  it  was  extended  to  the  second  like* 
the   great  weight  of  it  was  directed  against  the 


wise 


centre  of  each,  where  the  artillery  was  placed|  and  from 
which  the  men  were  repeatedly  driven  with  great  slaugh- 
ter  ;  finding  no  great  effect  from  the  fire,  and  confuaion 
beginning  to  spread  from  ihe  great  number  of  men  who 
w«re  fallen  in  all  quarters,  it  became  necessary  to  try 
Wiiat  could  be  done  by  the  bayonet. 

Lieut.  Col*  Darkb,  was  accordingly  ordered  to  make 
a  charge,  with  a  part  of  the  second  line,  and  to  turn  the 
left  flank  of  the  enemy.    This  waa  executed  with  great 


I-! 


H 


l 


I 


1 


h'^':i 


•f* 


>■«  i, 


'i 


;:*'■ 


-I.IU*- 


s|^rit.  Thf  Indi<mi  ioftUntly  gtvc  vaf<  and  were  dnHi$ 
back  three  or  four  hundred  yard*  x  but  for  want  of  a  wU 
ficicnt  number  of  riflemen  to  purine  this  advantage,  thtf 
soon  returned  and  the  troops  were  obiiged  to  give  back  in 
their  turn.  At  this  moment  tbry  had  entered  our  camp 
bv  the  left  flank,  having  pursued  back  the  troops  that 
were  posted  therct  ^c   ^• 

Another  charge  was  made  here  by  the  second  regi* 
menti  Bvtlbb's  and  Clark's  battalions,  with  equal  ef* 
fecti  and  it  was  repeated  several  times,  and  always  with 
success—but  in  all  of  them  many  men  were  lost,  and 
particuiarly  the  officers,  which,  with  some  raw  troops* 
was  a  loss  altogether  irremediable.  In  that  I  just  spoke 
of  made  by  the  second  regimelM  and  Butlbk's  battalioni 
Msj.  Butler  was  dangerously  wounded,  and  every  offb- 
cer  of  the  second  regiment  fell  except  three,  one  of 
which,  Capt.  Greatov,  was  shot  through  the  body. 

Our  artillery  being  now  silenced,  and  all  the  oflicers 
Killed,  except  Capt.  Forb,  who  was  badly  wounded,  more 
than  half  of  the  army  fallen,  being  cut  off  from  the  road* 
it  became  necessary  to  attempt  the  regaining  it,  and  to 
make  a  retreat  if  possible.  To  this  purpose  the  remaina 
of  the  army  was  formed  as  well  as  circumstances  would 
admit,  towards  the  right  of  the  encampment;  from 
which,  by  the  way  of  the  second  line,  another  charge  was 
made  upon  the  enemy,  as  if  with  the  design  to  turn  their 
ri{;ht  flank— but  in  fact  to  gain  the  road  :  this  was  effect- 
ed ;  and  as  soon  as  it  was  open,  the  militia  took  along  it* 
followed  by  the  troops— Maj*  Clark  with  his  battalion 
covering  the  rear. - 

The  retreat  in  those  circumstances,  was,  you  maybe 
sure  a  precipitate  one— it  was  in  fact  a  flight.  The  camp 
and  the  artillery  were  abandoned,  but  that  was  unavoida- 
ble, for  not  a  horse  was  left  alive  to  have  drawn  it  off  had 
it  otherwise  been  practicable.    But  the  most  disgraceful 


i-' 


■v? 


..^ 


:■**': 

■"l^' 


•». 


* 


«^115-. 


"%. 


^m  of  the  btrfineBs  !«,  that  the  gfe^test  parC  6f  tite  tn«»k' 
^  thftw  flwA)r  their  arms  and  accontrements,  ettfi  after  tbe  ' 
;  .pursuit  (which  continued  about  four  m}tes)  had  cea^tfd. 
I  found  the  road  strewed  with  ihcm  for  man^  miles, 
but  was  not  able  to  remedy  it ;  for  having  had  All  my 
hornet  killed,  and  being  mounted  upon  one  that  coold 
not  be  pricked  out  of  a  walk,  I  could   not  get  forward 
myself,  and  the  orders  I  sent  forward,  either  to  halt  tht 
front,  or  prevent  the  men  from  parting  with  their  arm«, 
^ere  unattended  to.  * 

The  rout  continued  qnfttf  lo  Fdrt  Jefferson,  t^fciVty- 
nine  miles,  which  was  rtached  a  Httle  after  sun-seiting. 
The  action  began  about  half  ah  hour  before  sun-rfse,  and 
the  retreat  was  attempted  at  halt  an  hour  after  nio^ 
o'clock.         '"•     '"■"'     "■^'^'    •  ^^  -^  '•''   *v  -'v  'vi  ;'e  S.  r    > 

I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  got  returns  of  the  killed 
sMd  wounded;  but  Major  General  Bvtler,  Lieut.  Col. 
O&OHAM,  of  the  militia,  Major  Fbrgtjsow,  Majof  tfARt, 
and  Major  Clark,  are  among  the  former. 

I  have  now,  Sir,  finished  my  melancholy  tale— a  tale 
that  Will  be  felt,  sensibly  felt  by  every  one  that  hw  sym- 
pathy for  private  distress,  or  for  public  misfortune.  I 
have  nothing,  Sir,  to  say  to  the  charge  of  the  troops  buC 
their  want  of  discipline,  which,  from  the  short  time  they 
had  been  in  service,  it  was  impossible  they  should  have 
acquired,  and  which  rendered  it  very  diiBcuIt,  when  they 
were  thrown  into  confusion,  to  reduce  them  again  to  or- 
der, and  is  one  reason  why  the  loss  has  fallen  so  heavy 
^'  upon  the  officers,  who  did  every  thing  in  their  power  to 
effect  it. — Neither  were  my  own  exertions  wanting,  but 
worn  down  with  illness,  and  suffering  under  a  painful 
disease,  unable  either  to  mount  or  dismount  a  horse 
without  assistance,  they  were  not  so  great  as  tliey  other- 
wise would,  or  perhaps  ought  to  have  been. 

We  were  overpowered  by  numbers  ;  but  it  is  no  more 


'IM 


H 


"Is 


«  t 


.f:^. 


If  111* 


than  justice  to  obtcrvet  that  though  composed  of  so  »•»  ^^ 
ny  different  species  of  ttoopt,  the  utmost  harmony  pro* 
▼ailed  through  ibe  whole  at  my  during  the  campaign. 

At  Fort  Jefferson  1  fofind  the  6rst  regiment,  vhich 
had  retuiined  from  the  service  they  had  been  sent  upon,      \ 
without  either  overtaking  the  deserters,  or  meeting  the 
convoy  of  provisions.    I  am  not  certaini  Sir,  whether  I 
ought  to  consider  the  absence  of  this  regiment  from  the 
feld  of  action   u  fortunate  or  otherwise.    I  incline  to    ^^ 
think il  was  fortunate;  for  I  very  much  doubt,  whether, 
bad  it  been  in  the  action,  the  fortune  of  the  day  had  been      _" 
turned,   and  if  it  had  not,  the  triumph  of  the  enemy 
would  have  been  more  complete,  and  the  country  would     -§ 
have  been  destitute  ot  every  means  of  defence. 

Taking  a  view  of  the  situation  of  our  broken  troops  at 
Fort  Jefferson,  and  that  there  was  no  provisions  in  the 
fort,  I  called  on  the  field  officers  for  their  advice  what 
would  be  proper  further  to  be  done ;  and  it  was  their 
unanimous  opinioUi  that  the  addition  of  the  first  regi-  ' 
ment  unbroken  as  it  was,  did  not  put  the  army  on  so  re* 
apectable  a  footing  as  it  was  in  the  morning,  because  a 
great  part  of  it  was  now  unarmed :  that  it  had  been 
found  unequal  to  the  enemy,  and  should  they  come  on, 
which  was  probable,  would  be  found  so  again ;  that  the 
troops  could  not  be  thrown  into  the  fort,  both  because  it 
was  too  small,  and  that  there  was  no  provision  in  it. 

That  provisions  were  known  to  be  upon  the  road  at 
the  distance  of  one  or  at  most  two  marches ;  that  there- 
fore it  would  be  proper  to  move  without  loss  of  time  to 
meet  the  provisions,  when  the  men  might  have  the  soon- 
er an  opportunity  of  some  refreshment,  and  that  a  prop- 
er detachnr.en'.  might  be  sent  back  with  it,  to  have  it 
safely  deposited  in  the  fort. 

This  advice  was  accepted,  and  the  army  was  put  in 
moiioo  again  at  ten  o'clock,  apd  marched  ail  night,   and 

% 


^i' 


"ni^ 


■"^ 


— itr. 


Ih*  sQcceedtng  da^  met  with  a  quantity  of  flour,  part  of 
it  was  dittributcd  immediatelf,  part  taken  back  to  sup* 
plj^he  army  on  the  march  to  Fort-HamiUon,  and  tht 
remainder,  about  fifty  horse  loads  sent  forward  to  Fort 
Jefferson* 

I  have  said  Sir,  in  the  former  part  of  my  communica- 
tion, that  we  were  overpowered  by  numbers ;  of  that 
however,  I  have  no  oiher  evidence,  but  the  weight  of 
the  fire,  which  was  always  a  most  deadly  one,  and  gen* 
•rally  delivered  from  the  ground,  few  of  the  eneny 
shewini;  themselves  on  foot,  except  when  they  were 
charged,  and  that  in  a  few  minutes  our  whole  camp, 
which  extended  above  350  yards  in  lengthy  was  entirely 
aurroundcd  and  attacked  on  ail  quarteri. 

The  loss,  Sir,  the  public  has  su&tained  by  the  fdll  of 
so  many  officers,  particularly  General  Butler,  and  &5a* 
jor  Febguson,  cannot  be  too  much  regretted  ;  but  it  is 
a  circumstance  that  will  alleviate  the  misfortune  in  soma 
measure,  that  all  of  them  fell  most  gallantly  doing  their 
duty.  I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Sir,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  AUTHUR  ST.  CLAIR." 

**  Hon.  Seeretarj  of  War,** 


fllii'  \ 


.«v 


»* 


PRIVATE  LETTERS. 


«  An  express  has  arrived  from  the  district  of  Ken- 
tucky, with  the  melancholy  news  of  the  defeat  of  Gen. 
St.  Clair,  within  six  miles  of  the  Miami  village.  The 
loss  on  this  occasion  is  about  six  hundred  killed  ^nd 
wounded  (said  to  be  nearly  equal  to  BaADDOCX's  de- 
feat) with  seven  pieces  of  artillery,  and  all  the  store?. 
Gen.  St.  Clair,  it  is  said,  had  about  1300  men  ;  had 
reason  to  expect  an  attack  and  kept  his  men  under  arms 
all  night,  drawn  up  in  a  square*    The  attack  commen* 


% 


#■■ 


>|-  .yl  V 


«^.iii-> 


i 


^'ii 


?•*. 


'-?^a 


^. 


*'• 


«ed  about  dawn  of  daf,  on  all  the  lines,  but  principaHf 
MM  the  rear  lineB«  which  was  composed  of  the  militia. 
The  Indians  gave  one  fire  and  rushed  on,  tomahawk  in 
band.  The  militia  gave  wajr  to  the  centre;  and  before 
the  artillery  could  be  bn  ught  into  action,  the  matrosses 
were  all  killed,  and  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

It  was  retaken  but  was  useless  (or  want  oi  men  to 
manage  the  pieces.  The  action  was  coniinued  obstinate- 
ly ontil  9  o'clock,  when  the  troops  gave  way.  St.  ClaiS 
rallied  hia  men,  and  brought  them  off  in  tolerable  order, 
srith  most  of  the  wounded  to  Fort  Jefferson,  30  miles  in 
the  rear  of  the  action.    The  enemy  pursue*^  five  miles. 

J'h*  Return  of  the  OJIeers,  killed  and  wounded  in  the  rn- 
%^  '    '  gagement  is  e$  follows :-^   i:^.:^*,,*^  ^i:  ^ 

KiLLSo— 1  Major'General,  I  Lieut.  Colonel,  4  Ma« 
jors,  11  Captains,  10  Lieutenants,  9  Ensigns,  1  Sur- 
geoQ.-- Total  37. 

WovHSBD.— 3  Lieut.  Colonels,  1  Major,  11  Cap- 
tains, 6  Lieutenants,  $  Ensigns,  1  Surgeon—- Total  ST. 

Beside  the  above,  there  were  about  600  pri/ates  kil- 
led and  many  more  wounded — few  officers  of  distinction 
escaped  except  Gen.  St.  Claih,  who  had  many  narrow 
jBscapesi  eight  balls  passed  through  his  cloathes.'* , 


« 


«(  The  army  under  the  command  of  Gen.  St/  Claii, 
was  immediately  surrounded— >the  attack  was  conducted 
srith  astonishing  intrepidity  on  the  part  of  the  Indians— 
in  a  few  momenta  the  General's  tent  was  surrounded  : 
however,  he  was  rescued  by  a  party  of  regular  soldiers, 
who/repelled  the  enemy  with  fixed  bayonets.  There 
was  a  party  of  the  Chickasaw  nation  on  their  way  to  join 
pep.  St»  Clair^  but  did  not  arrive  in   season— there 


'      ^^     1 


■% 


^Itf— 


.^:^ 


#M  but  one  fellow  only  of  that  nttion  in  the  actionf  wh*' 
it  is  Mid,  killed  aad  scalped  eleven  of  the  cnemjr  witik 
hit  Okvn  hands,  and  engaging  with  the  twelfth,  be  fellj 
greatly  lamented  by  the  Americans* 

Major-General  Butler  waa  woanded,  and  carried  to 
a  convenient  place  to  have  hib  wounds  dreased,  but  an  In- 
dian having  discovered  the  place  to  which  he  was  convey* 
edi  broke  through  the  troops  who  attended  hint,  and  torn- 
ahawkcd  the  geneial  and  the  doctor  who  was  dressing  hit , 
woundi,  before  he  was  killed  by  the  troops* 

Agreeable  to  the  btateroent  of  the  Indians  they  killed 
1000  of  the  American  troops,  and  took  seven  pieces  of 
cannon— 300  gxen  and  a  great  number  of  horses,  but  no 
prisoners— and  that  their  loss  was  only  fifty*six  warriors 
killed.— They  stated  that  they  were  4000  strong,  and 
were  commanded  by  one  of  the  Missasago  Indiana,  who 
had  been  in  the  British  service  in  the  late  war ;  that  ho 
planned  and  conducted  the  attack,  which  was  even  contra* 
ry  to  the  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  chiels<— and,  that 
after  the  Americans  began  their  retreat,  he  told  the  In- 
dians they  had  killed  enough,  and  that  it  waa  proper  to 
give  over  the  pursuit,  and  return  and  enjoy  the  booty 
they  had  taken— that  their  army  was  composed  of  soma 
from  almost  every  tribe  from  the  Miami  to  lake  Miche- 
gan. 

The  Missasago  chief,  above  alluded  to,  was  six  feet  in 
height,  about  45  years  of  age,  of  a  very  sour  and  rooroao 
countenance,  and  apparently  very  crafty  and  subtle*  His 
dress  was  Indian  hose  and  moccasons,  a  blue  petticoat 
that  came  halfway  down  his  thighs,  an  European  waist- 
coat and  surtout ;  his  head  was  bound  with  an  Indian  cap 
that  hung  hsif  way  down  his  back«  and  almost  entirely 
filled  with  plain  silver  broaches  to  the  number  of  more 
than  two  hundred  ;  he  had  two  ear-rings  to  each  ear  ;  the 
upper  p|i;t  of  each  waa  formed  of  three  silver  medtila 


'W 


> ' 


# 


h^' 


■■  I 


about  the  size  or  a  dollar  ;  the  lower  part  was  forfned  (^ 
q>iarters  of  dollars,  and  fell  more  than  13  inches  from  his 
cars ;  one  fram  each  ear  over  his  breast— the  other  oter 
1ms  back  ;  he  bad  three  very  large  nose  jewels  of  silver 
that  were  curious'y  painted. 

The  party  of  friendly  Chickasaws,  who  were  on  their 
way  to  j')in  General  St.  Clair,  arrived  at  Fort  Jefferson 
two  days  afer  the  bloody  action.— They  were  command- 
ed by  PioMiNoo,  or  the  Mountain  Leader.— On  their 
way  they  discovered  that  the  American  troops  had  been 
defeated,  but  saw  but  one  of  the  enemy,  who,  mistaking 
PioMiNGo's  party  for  some  of  his  own  comrades,  made 
up  to  tbein  ;  he  perceived  his  mistake,  but  too  late  to  re* 
treat ;  he  was  accosted  by  Piomingo,  with  **  Rascal joU 
have  been  killing  white  men"  He  endeavored  to  exculpate 
himseili  but  Piomingo  ordered  two  of  his  warriors  to  ex- 
pand hia  arms,  and  a  third  (an  old  man,  fur  says  Piokin- 
ao,  "  none  of  my  young  men  &hall  disgrace  themselves 
so  much  as  to  kill  a  wretch  like  thee")  to  shoot  him 
through  the  heart,  which  was  accordingly  executed  ;  they 
af  erwards  took  off  his  scalp. 

During  !)T.  Clair's  bloody  engagement,  Adjutant 
Burgess  received  two  wounds,  the  second  of  which  pro. 
ved  mortal:  after  the  receipt  of  the  first,  he  continued  !• 
fi^'ht  wiih  distinguished  gallantry  ;  the  second  unfortu- 
nately stopped  btfi  progress  :  faint  with  the  loss  of  bloody 
he  fell :  a  woman,  who  was  particularly  attached  to  himt 
raided  him  up,  and  while  supporting  him  in  her  arms, 
receiv'-d  a  ball  in  her  breast,  which  put  an  immediate 
end  tj  her  exiHtence  !  ? 

Soon  after  Ensign  Wilson  (a  much  lamented  youth) 
fell,  one  of  the  ravages  attempted  to  take  off  bis  scalpi 
which  Col.  Darkb  perceiving,  he  hastened  to  the  spot» 
and  with  hh  sword  slabbed  the  miscreant  through  the 
body.  « 


W'- 


'» 


•!(*.- 


^ 


:  1  va?     Indians  defeated.        *  ^^  ^ 

A  few  weeks  after  the  defeat  of  the  tmops  ander  Cc«« 
dr.  Clair,  Gen.  Scott  despatched  from  the  mtn  under 
his  command  two  9pies  to  reconnoitre  the  enemv^  who, 
when  Ihey  arrived  a*  the  di->tiince  of  a  few  mi'es  fiom 
the  fatal  spot  where  the  bloody  action  was  foiiKht,  ihef 
diicovered  a  targe  party  of  Indians  diverting  and  enjoy* 
ing  themselven  with  the  plunder  they  had  taken,  riding 
the  bullocks,  Sec*  and  appeared  to  be  moatiy  druitk— the 
men  returned  and  communicated  the  impurtani  infurma* 
tion  to  Gen*  Scott,  who  immediately  thereupon  divided 
hia  troops  into  three  divisions,  advanced  and  fell  on  the 
enemy  by  surprise— the  contest  was  short  but  victorious 
on  the  part  of  the  American  troops ;  beven  hundred  of 
the  enemy  were  killed  on  the  »put,  all  the  cannon  and 
atores  in  their  possession  retaken,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  savage  boJy  put  to  flight.— Gen.  Scott  losing  btit 
six  men,  returned  to  head  quarters  in  triumph,  with  most 
of  the  cattle,  stores,  8cc. 

Gen.  .'^xoTT  gave  the  following  afiVcting  account  of 
the  appearance  of  the  field  on  which  the  bloody  ac« 
tion  between  the  American  troops,  under  Gen*  St.  ClaiM) 
and  the  savages  was  fought  t—*^  The  place  had  a  very 
melancholy  appearance— nearly  in  the  6pace  of  350  yards 
lay  500  skull  bones—- 300  of  which  were  buried  by  my 
men  while  on  the  ground  ;  from  thence  for  five  miles  on, 
and  from  the  roads  thmugh  the  woods,  was  strewed  with 
skeletons,  muskets,  Ice." 


i/rt-' ^'^y}..r:      -jf.; 


■     mu 


DEFEAT  OF  MAJOR  JU* 31  AHOy,   . 

On  the  29ih  of  July,   1794,  Maj.  M'MAaow  marched 
with  80  riflemen,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Harts- 


♦» 


;j?t 


i, 


■%>' 


I 


i  I ' 


'it 


■■MlMMJMiBMMifliiilfc^       > 


f 

J 

• 

i 
'  i 

i 

1 

I 

,ti 

i 

1 

r 

m,VJ, 

^12S<« 


r 


it 


I  !  i 


■I  I 


■oRir,  and  SO  dragoons  uoder  tbe  coininend  of  Capf: 
Tatlor,  for  Fort  Recovery,  as  an  escort  to  300  pack*  v 
horiei  loaded  with  floor  for  that  garriaon  :  on  the  morn- 
}ng  following  arier  tliey  had  deposited  their  loading,  an4 
were  preparing  to  set  out  oo  their  return,  they  were  at- 
tacked by  an  army  of  tSOO  Indians  ;  Capt.  Hartshorv, 
vho  had  adviiHced  with  the  riflemen  about  a  quarter  of  « 
mile  into  the  woodti,  immediately  tt.ok  post  on  a  verf 
atrong  commanding  piece  of  ground  near  the  garrison, 
and  with   unparalleled  bravery,  maintained  the  unequal 
fight,  till  M«j.  M'Mahon,  who  had  put  himself  at  th* 
bead  of  the  cavalry,  was  killed,  as  was  Capt.  TatloBi 
»nd  Cornet  Torrt,  and  many  of  the  men  wounded.  The 
enemy  now  put  their  force  against  Capt.  Hartshork, 
and  in  the  moment  when  they  were  pushing  to  cut  off 
his  communication  with  the  garrison,  Lieut.  Drake  and 
Ensign  Don  sallied  out,  at  the  head  of  SO  brave  fellows* 
who  turned  out  voluntarily  on  the  occasion,  and  joined 
him,  aiier  beating  the  enemy  back  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet ;  at  this  instant  the  brave  Capt.  Hartshorh  re- 
ceived a  shot  which  broke  his  thigh.    Lieut.  Craig  was 
killed,  and  Lieut.  Marks  taken  prisoner.    Lieut.  Drake 
now  ordered  a  retreat,  and  in  endeavoring  t^  hold  the  en- 
emy in  check,  so  as  to  give  the  men  time  to  save  Capt. 
Hartshorn,  he  received  a  shot  in  the  groin.    The  ene- 
my DOW  pressed  so  hard  as  to  compel  the  men  to  leave 
their  captain. 

Great  numbers  of  the  Indians  must  have  been  killedf 
as  they  came  forward  in  solid  columns,  up  to  the  muzzle 
of  the  guns.  Lieut.  Michael,  who  was  with  Capt* 
liARTsuoRN,  but  whom  he  had  detached  with  a  few  active 
men  to  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  was  now  missing  ;  and 
while  their  coihpanions  in  the  fort  were  deploring  their 
fate  and  bad  given  them  up  as  lost,  they  saw  him  and 
Lieut.  Marks  rushing  through  the  thick  of  the  enemf 


-„^,,, 


.'     » 


— lis— 

«t  dppotiie  directions,  and  though  namberi  of  gutif  vevt 
Cred  at  ihem  tht^  got  in  sitfe.  Lieut.  Mkuail  lost  ev- 
ery man  of  his  party  etccpt  three,  and  Lieut.  Maris 
■got  off  by  knockinf^  down  the  Indian  ^ho  took  Inm. 

The  Indians  were  observed  to  carry  off  great  number* 

'•f  killed  and  wounded  on*  pack  horses— the  lost  of  the 

Americans  was  35  killed,  snd  about  40  wounded— the 

parly  commanded  by  Capt.  IIartshobn  brought  in  ten 

•calps  of  the  enemy. 


DEFEAT  OF  THE  INDIANS  BY  Gen.  WAYNl, 
^■'-  ■      -'  ^    August  20th,     '  ..  /  ^ 

''^0EH,  WAYNE  to  rnE  SECRETARY  of  WAR. 


««  SiM, 


^  .tf..~ 


*<  IT  is  with  infinite  pleasure  that  I  annp^unce  to 
fou  the  brilliant  success  of  the  Federal  army  under  ray 
command,  in  a  general  action  with  the  combined  fctce 
of  the  hostile  Indians,  and  a  considerable  number  of  the 
Tolunteers  and  militia  of  Detroit  on  the  20th  August, 'on 
the  banks  of  the  Miamis,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  British 
post  and  garri'jT^n  at  the  foot  uf  the  Rapids. 

The  army  advanced  from  Fort  Washington  on  the 
15th,  and  arrived  at  Roch  l)e  Bout  on  the  18th,  and  the 
19th  we  M'ere  employed  in  making  a  temporary  post  for 
the  reception  of  our  stores  and  baggage,  and  in  recon- 
noitering  the  position  of  the  enemy  who  were  encamped 
*  behind  a  thick  bushy  wood  and  the  British  forC. 

At  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the  army  a- 
gain  advanced  in  columns  agreeable  to  the  standing  or- 
der of  march,  the  legion  on  the   right,  its   right   flank 


\^- 


I 


I 


,H 


I 


r 


:    t 


^r^rmU'm^tfaam 


\\ 


'"^►v 


\  -.' 


— 1S4— 


j.i 


Si  Pi 


m 


:  i  1j  i 


I,  n 


cavered  bjr  the  Miam'i— one  briftade  t^  mounted  ^roloiib 
tetis  on  the  Ittt  under  Drif^adier  Gcnv«*ek  Todo,  and  ih« 
other  in  the  rear  under  Brigaditr-Geneial  Bar  an i.  A 
■elect  battalion  of  mounted  volun*e«ri  moved  in  front  of 
the  legion,  commanded  by  M  jor  Prick,  who  was  di- 
recied  to  keap  sufficiently  advunced,  and  to  give  lirodf 
notice  for  the  troops  to  form  in  caie  of  action,  it  being; 
yet  undetermined  whether  the  Indittna  wouid  decide  for 
peace  or  war. 

After  advancing  about  five  miles,  Major  Prick's  corps 
received  so  severe  a  fire  fmm  the  enemy,  who  were  se- 
crettd  in  the  woods  and  h  gh  grass,  as  to  compel  them 
to  retreat* 

The  legion  wa*  immediately  formed  in  two  lines,  prin* 
cipal  y  in  a  close  thirk  wood  which  cx' ended  for  milea 
on  our  left,  aiid  fur  a  very  considerable  distance  in  front* 
the  ground  being  covered  with  old  fulien  timber,  proba* 
biy  occasioned  by  a  tornado,  which  rendered  ii  imprao- 
•ticable  for  the  cavalry  to  act  with  eflect,  and  iiffvrded 
the  enemy  th»:  most  f^votiiable  covtrt  for  their  mode  of 
Warfare:  thr  Savag-s  were  formed  m  three  lines  within 
supporting  distance  of  each  other,  and  extending  for 
near  two  miles  at  tight  angles  with  the  river*  I  soon 
discoveied  from  the  weight  of  the  fire  and  extent  oi  ihei* 
lines,  that  the  enemy  were  in  full  iorce  in  front,  in  pos« 
kes>>ion  of  their  lavotite  ground,  and  endeavouring  to 
turn  our  left  fl^nk  ;  I  therefore  gave  o'd^rs  for  the  se> 
cond  Iii4e  to  advance  to  support  the  fiist,  and  directed 
Major  General  Scott  to  gain  and  turn  the  right  fiink 
of  the  Savages,  with  the  whole  of  the  mounted  volun- 
teers by  a  circuitous  route  ;  at  the  same  time  1  ordered 
the  from  line  to  advance  and  charge  with  trailed  armsi 
and  rouse' the  Indians  from  their  coverta  ai  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  and  when  up  to  dcfivcr  a  close  and  well  di> 
lecttd  fire  on  ihtir  backs^  fulluwcU  iiy  a  biiitk  charge  &9 


li .  1 


■•■(»■■  . 


..   i 


•r~\  'V' 


— t3f— 


••  Kot  td  give  tbcm  time  to  load  •gain,  or  to  form  tbfl» 
line.  f 

I  alto  ordered  Capt.  M.  Campbrll.  who  commanded 
Ibe  Itgionary  cavalry,  to  turn  the  Icii  flar.k  of  ihe  chcmf 
nent  the  river,  otid  which  ttlTjidtd  u  fuvoiiiMjIc  Held  for 
that  corps  to  act  in— all  those  ordet-a  were  obeyed  with 
•pirii  and  prom  iiude  ;  but  luch  was  the  innpciiosiiy  of 
the  char(;e  by  the  first  line  of  infantry  that  the  Indians 
ai>d  Citn^dian  ntihtiM  and  Tolun'eeia  were  diove  from  all 
their  coverti,  in  »o  ahorl  a  time,  that  bI  h  Uf»h  every 
possible  exertion  was  ussd  by  the  cffirers  of  ihe  second 
line  of  the  legion  and  by  Geneiali  i»coTT,  Wood,  and 
Barbie,  of  ihe  mourned  volunteeisto  guin-their  proper 
po!>iiiona,  btit  part  of  eiich  could  gel  up  in  sea-on  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  aciiont  the  enemy  bemg  diove  in  the 
course  of  one  hour  more  than  two  mdes,  through  the 
thick  woods  already  meniioncd  by  le»9  than  one  half 
their  number.    -.'   '  a  .  -   •,■?    '      .<  '    '  •    "  ,:..<,^:^^;«v,;  ^>  .-■ ' «  • 

From  every  acrouni  the  enemy  amounted  to  two  thou* 
land  conibuianii.  the  troops  acluuliy  engaged  bgainst 
them  were  sh-  ri  of  nine  hundred.—  Phis  horde  of  Sava- 
ges, with  their  al]:e«,  ahandimed  themselves  to  flighli 
aiid  dispersed  with  terror  and  dihinaji  leaving  our  victo- 
rious army  in  full  and  quie*.  possession  of  the  field  of 
battle,  which  terminated  under  the  mSuence  of  the  guna 
«f  the  Brii'Sh  garrison.  "■"  \ 

The  bravery  and  conduct  of  every  oflRoer  belonging 
to  the  army,  f>om  the  Generals  down  to  the  Ens  gns, 
meii   my  approbatioti. 

Lieutenant  Covingtoiv,  upon  whom  the  command  of 
the  cavalry  devolved  (capt.  Camfikll  being  killed)  cut 
tlown  two  Savages  wiih  his  own  hand,  and  Lieutenant 
Webb  one.  in  turning  the  eneniy's  left  flmk. 

'Ihe  w(  unds  received  by  Captains  Si.oijoh,  PrioR) 
Van  RAKSELAsa  and  Rawlins,  and  Lieutenants  M'- 


't 


^ 


n 


It    t  >* 


p-IK^ 


it     !.! 


•  '.■ 


t 


;l'4 


.S* 


KtirifT  ancl  SmitH)  bctr  honourable  testimony  of  riMir 
brnverjr  and  conduct ;  m  fact  every  officer  and  aoldter 
svho  had  an  opportunity  to  come  into  action  diiplafed 
that  true  bravery  which  will  always  insure  succeit ;  an4 
here  permit  me  to  declare  that  I  have  never  diseover* 
led  more  true  spirit  and  anxiety  for  action  than  appeared 
to  pervade  the  whole  of  the  moun'ed  volunteers,  and  I 
am  well  perfiuaded,  that  hud  the  enemy  maintain':U  their 
favorite  ^roond  for  one  half  hour  longer  they  would 
liave  moat  severely  felt  the  prowess  of  that  corps*  4* 

But  whilst  I  pay  this  just  tribute  to  the  living  I  must 
not  neglect  the  gallant  deadi  among  whom  we  have  to 
lanitnt  the  early  death  of  those  worthy  and  brave  officers, 
Capt.  Campbbll  and  Lieut*  Towlks,  who  fell  in  the 
^ist  charge* 

The  lots  oF  the  enemy  was  more  than  double  to  that 
of  the  federal  array— 'the  woods  were  strewed  for  a  con- 
aidetable  distance  with  dead  bodies  of  Indians  and  their 
Hhiie  auxiiiaiies,  the  latter  armed  with  British  rouskess 
and  bayunetM.  We  remained  lliree  days  and  nights  on 
the  banks  of  the  MiamiS)  in  front  oi  the  field  of  battle^ 
during  which  time  all  the  houses  and  cornfields  were  con- 
sumed and  destroyed  for  a  considerable  distance  above 
and  below  the  garrison,  among  which  were  the  houtesj 
stores  and  property  of  Col*  M'Kbe,  the  British  Indian 
Agent  and  principal  stimulator  of  the  war  now  existing 
between  the  United  Slates  and  the  savages. 

'ihe  anr.y  returned  to  headquarters  on  the  27th,  by  ea« 
sy  marches,  laying  wabte  the  villages  and  cornfields  for 
about  fifty  miles  on  each  side  of  the  Miamis.  It  is  not 
improbable  but  that  the  enemy  may  make  one  desperate 
eft'ji  t  against  the  army,  as  it  is  said  a  reinforcement  was 
hourly  expected  at  Fort  Miamis  from  Niagara,  as  well 
a»  numeious  ttibes  of  Indians  living  on  the  margins  and 
islands  of  the  lake».    This  is  an  event  rather  to  be  wish* 


*»llf-. 


I 


tfl  tot  ihMi  dreided  whilst  the  urmj  remnlni  in  force* 
their  numbers  will  only  tend  to  coitlu»c  the  bavages,  And 
tiM  victory  will  be  ihe  more  coiuplcte  and  decisive,  and 
which  may  eveotually  injure  a  pernnancut  and  happ/ 
peace. 

The  following  ii  a  return  of  he  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing  of  the  federal  army,  in  the  late  action,  to  wit  r— 

KiLLio— I  Captain,  I  Licutenaat,  3  Sergeants,  2U  pri- 
vates—Total 33. 

WouND£0->'A  Captaini,  S  Lieutenants,  I  Ensign,  t 
Serq;e«nt8,  3  Corporals,  3  Musicians,  84  privates— Tolal 
100. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  most  obedient  and  very 

humble  servant,  <  f  s*  ,.  ,^ 

r    ^^vp    ry  ANTHONY  WAYNE.*'  , 

T0  th*  Secretary  of  War,  >  ,  1    • 

The  following  circumstances,  which  tor  k  pla^e  previ- 
ous to  and  during  Gen.  Watnk*s  engagement,  are  wor- 
thy of  record.  '  ^- 

At  the  instant  Capt.  Campbell  was  attemptinf^  to 
turn  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  three  of  them  plunged 
into  the  rivor— two  friendly  negroes  being  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  observing  the  Indians  making  for  the  shorei 
they  placed  themselves  on  the  bank  behind  a  tog,  and  as 
soon  as  the  Indians  approached  within  shot,  one  of  the 
negroes  fired  and  killed  one  of  the  Indians  ;  the  other  two 
got  hold  of  him  to  drag  him  out,  when  the  other  negro 
fired  and  killed  another ;  the  remaining  Indian  got  hold  of 
both  those  dead  to  pull  ihei  ashore,  when  the  negro 
who  killed  the  first  having  again  reloaded  fired  and  killed 
the  third,  and  they  all  floated  down  the  river. 

Another  circumstance  is  also  related,  viz.  A  soldier, 
soon  after  the  conclusion  oi  the  action,  proceeding  bome 
diatance  from  the  cftopi  met  an  Indian ;  they  attacked 


•^ 


;»• 


i'^i 


:  I 
f  I 


\i 

I 


,'l 


\(l 


u 


I  A 


^il 


.JW 


;,-!-4fe' 


'    '>4!  ' 


IT 


/■gw- 


If 


.t  .    i   ;.  1; 


i.     ' 


■'  '1  '-■', 


11  := 


'■■I 


^ 


«ach  nther,  the  noMier  with  hi«i  bayonet,  and  the  tndtaa 
M^.':'  ^''h  hi*  tomahawk  ;  some  of  the  holdicr*  passing  by  that 
way  two  days  aft  t-r,  found  iheni  boh  dead,  the  soldier 
wiih  his  bayonet  in  thcr  body  of  tiie  Indian,  and  the  In- 
dian with  his  lomnliawk  in  the  soldier's  head. 

The  following  circumstance  ijpok  place  previous  to  the 
action  :— A  Mr.  Wells,  who,  when  ve«y  young,  was  ta- 
ken prison'jr  by  the  I-idians,  and  had  resided  sirveral 
years  among  them,  had  made  hi»  escape  and  was  em- 
ployed by  Gen.  Wavnk  as  a  s;  y. — Tht  day  befoic  the 
action  he  was  taken  by  the  Indianii,  who  determined  to 
put  him  to  death.  Finding  it  imposnible  to  escape^  he 
informed  them  that  Gen.  Wayne  had  not  500  men  un- 
der his  command,  and  did  not  expect  an  attack.  On 
hearing  this,  the  Indians  attacked  Gen.  Watne  with  a 
confidence  in  pired  by  their  (supposed)  superiority  of 
number;*,  and  were  repulsed  as  before  ment cncd.  After 
the  action,  Maj.  Campbell,  (in  whose  custody  the  In- 
dians had  lefi  Wrlls)  enquired  his  motive  for  deceiving; 
them  ;  he  answered,  "/or  the  good  of  my  eountry."— -For 
this  heroic  action,  he  was  unfeelingly  delivered  to  the  In- 
dians, in  whose  hands  it  i«.  supposed  he  experienced  everf 
torture  that  savage  barbarity  could  invent  or  inflict. — The 
circumstances  respecting  Mr.  Wklls,  were  related  by  a 
British  drummer  who  deserted  from  the  fort  to  Gen* 
Wayne. 

A  council  of  Indians  was  held  a  few  days  after  their 
defeat  by  Gen.  Wayne,  in  which  British  Agents  en- 
deavouicd  to  persuade  them  to  risque  another  actioRi 
but  this  they  refused  to  do,  expressing  a  willingness  to 
bury  the  bloody  hatchet  and  return  to  their  homes-<->their 
loss  they  declared  to  be  200,  and  that  their  whole  force 
at  the  commencement  of  the  action  amounted  to  1500 
Indians  and  80  Canadians.  The  body  of  the  Collector 
of  Niagara  was  found  among  the  »!»»• 


'  1 


/,^ 


■^^ 


'y 


f 


9  0. 


f 


■i 


if 


^ 


0^^^% 
4 


V 


*' 


^^ 


i^ 

# 


'%> 


^ 


% 


% 


3? 
CHAP.  X, 


4 


-*. 


-? 


^1*' 


v^. 


■^ 


ADVENTURES  OF  CAPT.  DANTEL  BOON, 

tiOM^RISING  AW    ACCOVNT   OF  THE    WARS    WITH     Ttfl 

INDIANS,  ov  THE  OHIO,  vaoM  1769  to  1782, 


i 


,*^- 


wHtrVEH  »r  HiMSELr, 


'^\'^m 


■f- 


IT  ^M  on  the  first  of  May,  1769,  that  I  resigned 
tttf  domestic  happiness,  and  left  nxy  family  and  peacea- 
ble habitation  on  the  Yadkin  river  in  North-Carolina,  to 
lirander  through  the  wilderness  of  Americai  in  quest  of 
the  country  of  Kentucky,  in  company  with  John  Fin^ 
LET,  JoBN  Stuart,  Joseph  Holobn,  Jambs  MoNATt 
and  William  Cool,  t'*'    .  '  ;  T* 

On  the  d'th  June,  after  travelling  in  a  western  direction, 
tre  found  oorbelves  on  Red  river,  where  John  Finlbt 
had  formerly  been  trading  with  the  Indians,  and  from  the 
top  of  ail  eminence,  saw  with  pleasure  the  beautiful  level 
of  Kentucky.  For  some  time  we  had  experienced  the 
most  uncomfortable  weather*  We  now  encamped,  made 
a  shelter  to  defend  tis  from  the  inclement  season,  and  be* 
gan  to  hunt  and  reconnoitre  the  country;  We  found 
abundance  of  wild  beasts  in  this  vast  fbrest.  The  buffj' 
loes  were  more  numerous  than  cattle  on  other  settlements, 
browsing  on  leaves  of  the  cane,  or  crossing  the  herbage 
on  those  extensive  plains.  We  saw  hundreds  in  a  drovei 
and  the  numbers  about  the  salt  springs  were  amazing.— 
In  this  forest  the  habitation  o(  beasts  of  every  American 
kind,  we  hunted  with  great  success  until  December. 
,  On  the  22d  December,  John  STUA^t  and  I  had  a 
pleasihg  ramble  ;  but  fortune  changed  the  day  at  the 
close  of  it.  \Ve  hud  passed  through  a  great  forest,  in 
which  stood  myriads  of  trees,  same  gay  with  blossoms, 
Others  rich  with  fruUt.    Nature  was  here   a  series  of 


f 


R 


>*■  :• 


'*■, 


t ! 


1 .1 


* 


A 


\i  H  {• 


:-.l 


i  I; 


't 


I 


■U'       '♦ 


«- 


# 


v 


— ISflr— 


#'■ 


^Brg 


«-  jifc 


1 


.'^^ 


-    Hk 


\<« 


»'• 


wonders  and  a  fund  of  delight.    Here  she  displayed  her 
ingenuity  and  industry  in  a  variety  of  flowers  and  fruits, 
beautifully  eolored.  elegantly  shaped,  and  charnningty  fla. 
y(»red  ;  and  we  were  favorad  with  numberless   animals 
presenting  themselves  perpetually  to  our  view.    In  tlie 
decline  of  the  day,  near  Kentucky  river,  as  we  ascended 
Iho  brow  of  a  small  hill,  a  number  of  Indians  rushtd  out 
of  a  thick  cane  brake  and  made  us  prisoners.    The  In- 
dians plundered  us  and  kept  u^  in  confinement  seven 
days.    During  this  we  drtcovered  no  uneasiness  ordestr* 
to  escape,  which  m^de  them  lest  suspicious  :  but  in  the 
dead  of  night,  as  wo  lay  by  a  large  fire  in  a  thick  cane 
brake,  when  sleep  had  locked  up  their  senses,  my  situa- 
tioD  not  disposing  me  to  re&t,'  I  gently  awoke  my  com- 
panion.    We  seized  this  favorable  opportunity  and  de- 
partedt  directing  our  course  toward  cur  old  camp,  but 
found  it  plundered  and  our  conipany  dispersed  qr  eon(| 
home.    .-''-_'■;*'..«..  .- ■^■.^"-         .,.   ■  f;  _/.  ;,.."*i^' . '^'- V 
About  this  time  my  brother  with  another  adventurer, 
who  came  to  explore  the  country  shortly  after  us,  wat 
wandering  through  the  forest  and  accidentally  found  our 
camp.    Notwithstanding  our  unfortunate  circumstanceit 
and  our  dangerous  situation,  surrounded  with  hostile  sav- 
ages, our  meeting  fortunately  in  the  wilderness,  gave  U| 
the  most  sensible  satisSKction. 

Soon  after  this,  my  Qompanion  in  captivity,  John  Stu- 
ABT,  was  killed  by  the  savages,  and  the  man  who  came 
with  my  brother  returned  home  by  himself.  We  were 
then  in  a  dangerous  helpless  situation,  exposed  daily  t» 
perils  and  death,  among  savagei  and  wild  beasts,  not  % 
whitje  man  in  th,«  country  but  ourselves. 

Thus  many  hundred  miles  from  oar  families^  in  the 
howling  wilderness,  we  did  not  continue  in  a  state  of  in- 
dolence, but  hunted  every  day,  and  prepared  a  little  cot- 
tage to  d'jfend  us  from  the  winter  storms*    Wc  met  with 


V.H 


¥ 


V 


4i 


'-*■ 


f 


^ 


V 


t^T 


>  « 


r.. 


5* 


y^.-- 


n\ 


^ 


II 


■^ 


iiS 


•iiH 


fla. 

ndcd 
1  out 
p  In* 
leven 
lesil'« 
n  the 
caoe 
situa- 
coin- 
d  de* 

gon« 

turer, 

waa  s- 

our 
anceij  * 

sav-   # 
live  ua 

S-ru-  f 
came 
were 
uly  t»  % 
not  i 

1    -     -- 

n  the 
of  ia- 

cot- 

vith 


^.;, 


tv? 


!.'■>'■ 


.  ♦  ""^ 


«^ 


*f       —151— 


,^ 


*' 


V      »v 


-w 


¥ 


K 


."4    ■ 


I- 


•■*' 


fto  disiorbtnct  during  the  winter.  On  the  1st  of  M»f , 
WTO,  my  brother  returned  home  by  himself,  for  a  new 
recruit  of  horses  and  ammunition,  leaving  mc  alone, 
without  bread,  salt,  or  sugar,  or  even  a  horse  or  a  dog— 
I  passed  a  few  days  uncomfortably.  The  idea  of  a  be- 
loved wife  and  family,  and  their  anxiety  on  my  account, 
would  have  disposed  me  to  melancholy  ii  I  had  further 
indulged  the  thought. 

One  day  I  undertook  a  tour  through  the  country,  when 
the  diversity  and  beauties  of  nature  I  met  with  in  this 
charming  season,  expelled  every  gloomy  thought.  Juut 
ftt  the  close  of  the  day,  the  gentle  gales  ceased  ;  a  pro- 
found calm  ensued  ;  not  a  breath  shook  the  ircmuious 
leaf.  I  had  gained  the  summit  of  a  commanding  ridge, 
imd  looking  around  with  astonishing  delight  betield  the 
ample  plains  and  beauteous  tracts  below.  On  one  hand 
I  surveyed  the  famous  Ohio  rolling  in  silent  dignity,  and 
*►  marking  the  western  boundary  of  Kentucky  with  incon- 
ceivable grandeur.  At  a  vast  distance  I  beheld  the 
fnountains  lift  their  venerable  brows  and  penetrate  the 
clouds^  All  things  were  ttili.  I  kindled  a  fire  near  a 
fountain  of  sweet  water,  and  feasted  on  the  line  of  a 
buck  which  a  few  hours  before  I  had  killed.  The  shades 
of  night  soon  overspread  the  hemisphere,  and  the  earih 
seemed  to  gasp  after  the  hovering  moisture.  My  excur- 
sion had  fatigued  my  body  and  amused  my  mind-  I  laid 
me  down  to  sleep,  and  awoke  not  until  the  sun  had  chased 
away  the  night.  I  continued  this  tour  and  in  a  fitw  days 
explored  a  considerable  part  of  the  country,  each  day 
equally  pleased  as  the  first ;  after  which  I  returned  to 
my  old  camp,  which  had  not  been  disturbed  in  my  ab. 
sence.  I  did  not  confinp  my  lodging  to  it,  but  often  re- 
posed in  thick  cane  brakes  to  avoid  the  savag:,^-  uho  T 
believe  often  visited  my  camp,  but  fortunately  for  me  in 
my  absence.    No  populous  city  with  all  its  vaiieties  of 


.«'"■ 


f': 


'i. 
If' 


k 


1:1 

' .,, 

Pill ; 


Vf: 


H 


it! 


I  • 


( 

i  i 


£^JSFJfc^&tftiff  ^r-" 


41 


II- 


iiiT 


i  i  i 


/■■t 


V 


•1 


7 


.> 


"7 


.4 


15 


t 


#. 


Sjj, 


114 


^, 


/ 


»,. 


■^ 


iw 


r 


-a 


statelf  structures,  could  alford  to  much     •^ 
mind)  as  the  beauHes  of  nature  I  found      ^ 


t 


commerce  and 
pleasure  to  my 
in  this  country.  u  i*,...    .ft 

Until  t^e  37th  July,  I  spent  the  time  in  an  uninter- 
rupted scene  of  sylvan  pleasures,  when  my  brother,  to 
my  great  telicity  met  me.  according  to  appointment  at 
our  Old  camp.  $oon  afief  we  Icf:  the  place  and  proceed- 
ed to  Cumberfaad  river,  reconnoitreing  that  part  of  the 
(COuptr)'^  and  giving  names  to  the  different  rivers.     '"' 

In  March,  177lt  I  returned  home  to  my  family,  being 
determined  to  bring  theni  as  soot>  as  i>ossible,  at  the 
risk  of  my  life  and  fortune,  to  reside  in  Kentucky, 
which  I  esteeinsd  a  second  paradise. 

On  my  re' urn  I  found  my  family  in  happy  circum- 
stances. I  sold  my  farm  on  the  Yadkin,  and  what  goods 
we  could  not  carry  with  at,  and  on  the  85th  September* 
1773,  we  took  leave  of  our  friendi  and  proceeded  on 
our  j>urney  to  Kentucky,  in  company  with  five  more 
families,  and  forty,men  that  joined  us  in  Powell's  Val- 
ley, which  is  ISO  miles  from  the  now  settled  parts  of 
Kentucky  ;— -but  this:  promibing  beginning  was  soon  over- 
cast with  a  cloud  of  adversity. 

Qn  the  10th  October  the  rear  of  pur  company  was  at- 
tacked by  a  party  of  Indians  ;  who  killed  six,  and  wound- 
ed one  man*  Of  these  my  eldest  son  was  one  that  fell 
in  the  action.  Though  we  repulsed  the  enemy,  yet  this 
unhappy  affdir  scattered  our  cattle  and  brought  us  into 
extreme  difficul'y—we  reirented  forty  miles  to  the  set- 
tlement on  Clench  river.  \Ve  had  parsed  over  two 
mountains,  Powell's  and  Walden'b,  and  weie  approach- 
ing Cumberland  mountain,  when  this  adverse  fortune 
overtook  us.  These  mountains  are  in  the  wilderness/ in 
parsing  from  the  old  settlements  in  Virginia  to  Kentucky, 
are  ranged  in  a  southwest  and  northeast  direction,  are  of 
gre^t  length  and  breadth,  and  not  far  distant  froin  eac^h 


K 


*\ 


^m 


\ 


> « 


4 


#'^ 


*«- 


1^' 


»1SS^   '*" 


i^  other.    Over  them  nature  hath  formed  p«»iei  lets  diffi* 

^^'^    icuh  than  might  be  expected  from  the  view  of  such  huge 

^^  piles.     I'he  aspect  of  these  cliffs  are  so  wiid  Rud  horridi 

that  it  is  imposiible  to  behold  them  withoui  terror.      ^^ 

t       Until  the  6ih  June,    1774,  I  remained  wiih  my  fmrilf 

''^  on  the  Clinch,  when  I  and  another  per&un  were  solicited 

by  Govern  >r  Dunmorb,  of  Virginia,  to  conduct  a  nam-  ' 

*v  ^  bar  of  surveyors  to  the  falls  of  Ohio.    This  was  a  tour 

of  800  miles,  and  took  us  sixty>two  days. 

*^'    ,    On  my  return,  Gov.  Dunmomk  gave  me  the  command 

of  three   garrisons  during    the    campaign    against    the 

;  Shawanese.  In  March,  1775,  at  the  solicitation  of  a 
number  of  gentlemen  of  North  Carolina,  1  attended 
their  treaty  at  Waiaga,  with  tne  Cherukee  Indiana,  to 
purchase  the  lands  ou  the  south  side  of  Kentucky  river. 
''  ,1  After  this  I  undertook  to  mark  out  a  road  in  the  best 
passage  from  the  settlements  through  the  wilderness  to 
Kentucky. 

"  Having  collected  a  number  of  enterprising  men  well 
armed,  I  soon  began  this  work— we  proceeded  until  we 
came  within  fifteen  miles  of  where  Boonsborough  now 
stands,  where  the  Ihdians  attacked  us,'  and  killed  two 
and  wounded  two  more  of  o»'r  party.  This' was  on  the 
32d  March,  1775^ — two  days  after  we  were  agam  attack- 
ed by  them,  when  we  had  two  more  killed  and  three 
wounded.  After  this  we  proceeded  on  to  Kentucky  riv- 
er wiihoui  further  opposition.  ' 
On  the  1st  April  we  began  to  erect  the  fort  of  Boons- 

i  borough,  at  a  salt  lick,  sixty  yards  iVom  the  river  on  the 
south  side.  On  the  4th  the  Indians  killed  one  of  our 
men.  On  the  14th  of  June,  having  completed  the  fort, 
J  returned  to  my  family  on  the  CHnch,  and  whom  I  soon 
after  temoved  to  the  fort—my  wife  and  (laughter  were 
supposed  to  be  the  fiitt  white  women  that  ever  stood  up- 
on the  banks  of  Kentucky  river!  ^ 


■fyv^. 


'<  ci,- 


a: 


'lii 


L 


.   ;;  !i; 


f 


lit 


■  t 

■ 


>  { ■• 


■4- 


'  S'^ 


I ; 


!  i; 


) 


09i 


*■   . 


m- 


'k 


^^ 


.  *    ,.-.'1 


r  ; 


%'> 


1/' 


■H/ 


^       ^>      * 


^    y     v# 


^\u^ 


V  /, 


.># 


On  the  94tM)ecetnbdr  the  IndiiM  killed  one  of  b^t 
fnen  and  wounded  another ;  and  on  the  Utb  Julf,  \7f%i 
jlhey  took  my  daughter  prisoner— I  immediately  pursued 
them  with  eight  men,  and  oh  the  16lh  overtook  and  en- 
gaged them,  I  killed  two  of  them  and  recovered  my 
daughter.  »-*        ,  .  ' 

The  Indians  having  divided  themselves  into  several 
parties,  attacked  on  one  day  all  our  inlant  seitlemehts 
and  forts,  doing  a  great  deal  of  damage— the  husband* 
men  were  ambushed  and  unexpectedly  attacked  while 
toiling  in  the  field*  They  continued  this  kind  of  war- 
fare until  the  15ih  April  1777,  when  nearly  100  of  them 
attacked  the  village  of  Boonsborough,  and  killed  a  num- 
ber ot  its  inhabitants.  On  the  19ih  Colonel  Logan's 
fort  was  attacked  by  SOO  Indians— there  were  only  If 
pnen  in  the  fort,  of  whom  the  eneqay  killed  two  and 
wounded  one. 

On  the  20th  August  Col.  Bowman  arrived  with  100 
men  from  Virginia,  with  which  additional  force  we  had 
almost  daily  skirmishes  with  the  Indians,  who  began 
now  to  learn  the  superiority  of  the  **  long  kniftt"  as 
they  termed  the  Virginians  ;  being  out^generaled  in  al- 
most every  *)iction.  Our  affairs  began  now  to  wear  a 
better  aspect,  the  Indiana  no  longer  daring  to  fare  us 
in  open  field,  but  sought  private  opportunities  to  destroy 
us. 

On  the  .7th  February,  1778,  while  on  a  hunting  ex. 
cursion,  alone,  I  met  a  party  of  103  Indians,  and  3 
Frenchmen,  marching  to  attack  Boonsborough- they 
pursued  and  took  me  prisoner,  and  conveyed  me  to  Old 
Chelicothe,  the  principal  Indian  town  on  Little  Miami, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  18ih  February,  after  an  un- 
comfortable journey.— On  the  10th  March  I  was  con. 
ducted  to  Detroit,  and  while  there  was  treated  with 
great  humanity  by  Governor   Hauilton,   the   British 


^^v- 


^1** 

%',£ 


V*; 


* 


*:* 


ii> 
I 


«v 


«*   %  ■ 


',,1**. 


.^- 


—135— 


■■JK 


^. 


l^k 


commander  at  that  poit,  and  Intendant  for  Indian  af* 
fail's. 

The  Indians  had  tuch  an  affection  for  roc,  that  thcf 
refused  lOOU  sterling  offered  them  by  the  Governor,  if 
thejr  would  consent  to  leave  me  with  him,  ihat  he  might 
be  enabled  to  liberate  me  on  my  parole.  Several  Eng- 
lish gentlemen  then  at  Detroit,  sensible  of  my  adverse 
fortuucy  and  touched  with  sympathy,  generously  offer- 
ed to  supply  my  wants,  which  I  declined  wi:h  many 
thanks,  adding  that  I  never  expected  it  wculd  be  in  my 
power  to  recompence  such  unmerited  generosity. 

On  the  10th  April  the  Indians  returned  with  mc  to 
Old  Chelicothe,  where  we  arrived  on  the  S5th.— This 
was  a  long  and  fatiguing  march,  although  through  an 
exceeding  fertile  country,  remarkable  for  spiings  and 
streams  ot  water.  At  Chelicothe  I  spent  my  time  as 
comfortably  as  I  could  expect }  was  adopted,  according 
to  their  custom,  into  a  family,  where  I  became  a  son,  and 
had  a  great  share  in  the  affection  of  my  new  parents, 
brothers,  sisters,  and  friends.  I  was  exceedingly  familiar 
and  frien'dly  with  them,  always  appearing  as  cheerful 
and  contented  as  possible,  and  they  put  great  confidence 
in  me.  I  often  went  a  hunting  with  them,  and  frequent, 
ly  gained  their  a]>plause  for  my  activity  at  our  shooting 
matches.  I  was  careful  not  to  exceed  many  of  them  in 
shooting,  for  no  people  are  more  envious  than  they  in 
this  sport.  I  could  observe  in  their  countenances  and 
gcstnrcs  the  greatest  f  xpressions  of  joy  when  they  ex- 
ceeded me,  and  when  the  reverse  happened,  of  envy.-— 
The  Shawanese  king  took  great  notice  of  me,  and  treat- 
ed me  with  pro(pund  respect  and  entire  friendship,  often 
entrusting  me  to  hunt  at  fry  liberty.  I  frequently  return- 
ed with  the  spoils  of  the  woods,  and  as  often  presented 
some  of  what  I  bad  taken  to  him,  expressive  of  duty  to 
my  sovereign.    My  food  and  lodging  was  in  common 


X.. 


* 


t 


^rrt  '  -^  . 


i.;  1 


il 


u-  ■ 


'f: 


I  :  V 


'i 


i  iri 


in 


'^ 


I 


Li» 


'      I 


\   !■      I 


•'• 


it 


«^ 


i 


.i- 


•^134— 


»■*> 


«%? 


#  .-*.  f 

Urilh  them,  not  so  g^d  indeed  as  I  could  detire,  but  n6'« 

cessity  made  every  ihlng  acceptuble.  ^, 

1  now  began  to  meditate  an  eacapct  and  carefully 
avoided  giving  suspicion.  I  continued  at  Chelicothe  un- 
til the  fir««t  day  of  June,  when  I  was  taken  to  the  salt 
springs  on  Sciolha,  and  there  employed  ten  days  in  the 
manufacturing  of  salt.  During  this  time  I  hunted  with 
my  Indian  masters,  and  found  the  land  for  a  great  extent 
a\.-)ut  this  river  to  exceed  the  soil  of  Kentucky  if  possible) 
and  remarkably  well  watered. 

On  my  return  to  Chelicothe,  450  of  the  choicest  In- 
diun  warriors  were  ready  to  march  against  Boonsbo- 
rough  ;  they  were  painted  and  armed  in  a  frightful  man- 
ner.   This  alarmed  me  and  I  determined  to  escape.        ^ 

On  the  16th  of  June,  before  sunrise,  I  went  off  secretlyi 
and  reached  Boonsborough  on  the  the  20(h,  a  journey  of 
160  miles,  during  which  I  had  only  one  meal.  I  found 
our  fortress  in  a  bad  state,  but  wc  immediately  repaired 
our  fictnks,  gates,  posterns,  and  formed  double  bastionii 
which  we  completed  in  ten  days.  One  of  my  fellow  pri^ 
soners  escaping  after  me,  brought  advice  that  on  account 
of  my  flight,  the  Indians  had  put  cfF  their  expedition  for 
three  weeks*  ■  ?  ^  ^^         '' 

About  August  1st,  I  set  out  with  19  men  to  surprise 
Point  Creek  Town  on  Sciotha,  within  four  miles  of  which 
we  fell  in  with  40  Indians  going  against  Boonsborough— 
we  attacked  them  and  they  soon  gave  way  without  any 
loss  on  our  part— the  enemy  had  one  killed  and  two 
wounded^-we  took  three  horses  and  all  their  baggage.--^ 
The  Indians  having  evacuated  their  town,  and  gone  alto- 
gether against  Boonsborough,  we  returned,  passed  them 
on  the  6th,  and  on  the  7th  arrived  safe  at  Boonsborough* 

On  the  8th,  the  Indiap  army,  consisting  of  444  men, 
tender  the  command  of  Capl.  DuquESNR,  and  eleven  oth- 
er Frenchmen,  und  their  own  chiefs^  arrived  and  stiin- 


r. 


^- 


I  fit- 

sfully 
e  on- 
e  talt 
in  the 
I  with 
extent 
is&ible* 

S9t  In- 

)on»bo- 

jl  man- 
ic 

ecretlyi 

irncy  of 

I  found 

irepaired 

jastionsi 
low  pri-' 
account 
ition  for 

surprise 
jf  which 
trough- 
hoot  any 
and  two 

gage- 
lone  a\to- 
ed  them 
iborough* 

,44  meni 
[even  oih- 

ind  »utn- 


^ 


^ 

$ 


<^    ■  ♦ 


>  ^ 


'A 


..^-- 


mdned  the  (ort  to  snrreiider.  I  requested  two  dayt  eMi> 
feideration,  which  was  granted*  During  th*-  ve  brought 
Id  through  the  posterns  all  the  horses  and  other  cattle  w« 
could  collect. 

On  the  9th,  in  the  evening,  t  informed  their  command- 
er) that  we  were  determined  to  defend  the  fort,  while  n 
tnan  was  living.  They  then  proposed  a  treaty,  and  said 
if  we  sent  out  nine  men  to  conclude  it,  they  would  with- 
draw. The  treaty  was  held  within  sixty  yards  of  the  fort) 
as  we  suspected  the  savages.  The  articles  were  agreed 
to  and  signed  ;  when  the  Indians  told  us  it  was  their 
tustom  for  two  Indians  to  shake  hands  with  every  whit* 
man  in  the  treaty,  as  an  evidence  of  friendship.  We 
agreed  to  this  also.  They  imnoediately  grappled  us  to 
take  us  prisoners,  but  we  cleared  ourselves  of  themt 
though  surrounded  by  hundredst  and  gained  the  fort  safe, 
except  one  mm  who  was  wounded  by  a  heavy  fire  from 
the  enemy. 

The  savages  began  now  to  undermine  the  fort,  begln- 
tiing  at  the  water  mark  of  Kentucky  river,  which  is  60 
^ards  from  the  fort ;  thia  we  discovered  by  the  water  be- 
ing made  muddy  by  the  day^—we  countermined  them  by 
cutting  a  trench  across  their  subterraneous  passage.  The 
enemy  discovering  this  by  the  clay  we  threw  out  of  the 
fort,  desiHted.  On  the  20th  August  they  raised  thesiege» 
during  which  we  had  two  men  killed  and  four  wounded* 
We  lanit  a  number  of  cattle.  The  kiss  of  the  enemy  was 
27  killedi  and  a  much  larger  number  wounded.  We 
picked  up  ISSlbs.of  their  bullets,  besides  what  stuck  in 
the  log*  of  the  fort.        .  .,     ^  ^^  ,^  v    . : 

In  July,  1779,  during  my  absence,  Col.  Bowham,  with 
160  men,  went  against  the  Shawanese  of  Old  Chelicothe* 
Ke  arrived  undiscovered,  a  battle  ensued,  which  lasted 
until  ten  in  the  morning,  when  Col.  Bowman  retreated, 
20  ihiUs.  The  Indiana  collected  all  lh«ir  atcengti^  and 
S 


%. 


r-«* 


^i 


•I 


J: 


~„       rV 


I."     i 
,1 


*• 


^v> 


.i^_.     /     J.V     .. 


— rsi— 


.■>t,  '- 


»     / 


■^!'N 


■J  ?  '•?■ 


p 


pttriocd  him,  when  another  cnfiraRement  ensued  for  tircf 
hoursi  not  to  CoK  Bowman'*  advMntage.  Col.  Hairod 
proposed  to  mount  a  number  of  hor<e  and  brchk  the  en- 
emy's line,  who  at  this  time  foughi  wiit»  remarkable  fury. 
This  desperate  measure  had  a  happy  effect,  and  the  aav* 
•gas  fled  on  all  sides.  In  these  two  battles  we  had  nine 
men  killed  and  one  wounded.  Enemy's  loss  uncertain^ 
only  two  scalps  were  taken. 

June  33d,  1780,  600  Indians  and  Canadians  under  Coh 
Bird,  attacked  Riddle's  and  Martin's  btaiion,  and  iha 
< Forks  of  Licking  river,  with  six  pieces  of  artillery  ;  they 
took  all  the  inhabhants  cap^es,  and  killed  one  man  and 
two  women,  loaded  the  others  with  the  heavy  baggage, 
and  such  as  failed  in  the  journey  were  tofoahawked.     . 

The  hostile  disposition  of  the  savages,  caused  General ' 
Clark,  the  commandant  at  tlie  falls  of  Ohio,  to  march 
with  his  regiment  and  the  armed  force  of  the  country 
against  Peccaway,  the  principal  town  of  the  Shawanese, 
on  a  branch  ot  the  great  Miami,  which  he  attacked  with 
great  success,  took  seventeen  scalps,  and  burned  the 
town  to  ashes,  with  the  loss  of  seventeen  men. 

About  this  time  I  returned  to  Kentucky  with  my  fami- 
ly ;  for  doring  my  captivity,  my  wife,  thinking  me  killed 
by  the  Indians,  had  transported  my  family  and  goods  on 
horses  through  the  wilderness,  amidst  many  dangers,  to 
her  father's  house  in  North  Carolina. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1780,  soon  after  my  settling 
again  at  Boonsborough,  I  went  with  my  brother  to  the 
Blue  Licks,  and  on  our  return,  he  was  shot  by  a  party  of 
Indians,  they  followed  me  by  scent  of  a  dog,  which  I  shot 
and  escaped.  The  severity  of  the  winter  caused  great 
distrens  in  Kentucky,  the  enemy  during  the  summer  hav- 
ing destroyed  most  of  the  corn.  The  inhabitants  lived 
chiefly  on  Bufi^aloe's  flesh. 
lo  spring,  1783,  the  Indiana  harrasaed  us.    In  filajy 


# 


V 


«' 


^isf-: 


i 


they  kined  a  man  at  Aahton's  tlatlon  and  took  a  ncf^ro 
prUoner.  Capt.  Ashton  puraued  them  with  3S  men* 
and  in  an  cn(;agement  which  lasted  two  hour*,  his  partf 
were  obliged  tu  retreat,  having  •  killed  and  4  mortaUf 
wounded;  their  brave' commander  fdi  in  the  action.        i 

August  1 0th,  two  boys  were  carried  off  from  Major 
Hot's  station  Captain  Holdsr  pursued  with  17  ment 
ibcy  were  also  defeated,  and  had  4  killed  and  1  wounded* 
Our  affairs  became  more  and  more  alarming.  The  sav- 
ages infested  the  country,  killing  men  at  every  opportunU 
ty»  In  a  field  near  Lexington,  an  Indian  shot  a  man  and 
running  to  scalp  him,  was  himself  shot  frum  the  fort  and 
fell  dead  upon  his  enemy.  All  the  Indian  nations  were 
now  united  against  us. 

August  15th,  fivehundrR  Indians  and  Canadians  came 
against  Briat's  ststion,  five  miles  from  Lexington,  thef 
assaulted  the  fort  and  killed  all  the  cattle  round  ii ;  but 
being  repulsed  they  retired  the  third  day,  having  about 
90  killed,  their  wounded  uncertain.  The  garrison  had 
4  killed  and  3  woundeH, 

August  18ih,  Col.  'i'oDB,  Col.  Tbigg,  Major  Hab- 
LAND,  and  myself,  speedily  collected  one  hundred  and 
seventy-six  men,  well  armed,  and  pursued  the  savages* 
They  had  marched  beyond  the  Blue  Licks,  to  a  remarka- 
ble bend  of  the  main  fork  of  Licking  River,  about  43 
miles  from  Lexington,  where  we  overtook  iheni  on  the 
19th.  «*.  t 

The  savages  observing  us,  gave  way,  and  we  ignorant 
of  their  numbers,  passed  the  river.  When  they  saw  our 
proceedings,  having  greatly  the  advanta);e  in  situation) 
they  formed  their  line  of  battle  from  one  end  ot  the 
Licking  to  the  other,  about  a  mile  from  the  Blue  Licks. 
The  battle  was  exceeding  fierce  for  about  15  minutes, 
when  we,  being  overpowered  by  numbers,  were  obliged  to 
retreat}  with  the  loss  of  67  men,  7  of  whom  were  taken 


i;: 


'\,f 


M^i 


i' 


't    '  <    -  r 


'  >\ 


It; 


prixNiert.  The  hnn  tnd  mocb  lamented  Coloneic  Tool 
•nd  Tmoo,  Major  Harlavo,  end  my  tecnd  wnt  were 
among  ?he  dc^d.  We  were  artcrwardt  told,  that  the  In* 
diana,  on  numbering  their  dead,  finding  thef  had  fbat 
more  k  lied  than  we.  four  of  oar  people  thejr  had  taken 
were  given  up  to  their  jroung  warriors,  to  be  put  to  death 
after  their  b«rbarou«  mannert 

On  our  retreat  we  were  met  by  Col.  Looav,  who  was 
kaatcning  to  join  us,  with  a  number  of  well  armed  ment 
This  powerful  ataistance  we  wanted  on  the  dajr  of  battle* 
The  cnemjr  aaid  one  more  fire  from  ua  would  have  made 
them  give  way* 

I  cannot  reflect  upon  thii  dreadful  scene,  without 
great  sorrow.  A  zeal  for  tl^  defence  of  their  couotrf 
led  theae  heroes  to  the  scene  'action,  though  with  a  few 
men,  to  attack  a  poiArful  army  of  experienced  warriors* 
"When  we  gave  way,  they  pursued  us  with  the  utmost 
eagerness,  and  in  every  quarter  spread  destruction.  Tht 
river  was  diflicuU  to  croas,  and  many  were  killed  in  the 
flight,  some  just  entering  the  river,  some  in  the  water, 
others  after  croaaing  in  ascending  the  cliffs*  Some  es- 
caped on  horseback,  a  few  on  foot  {  and  being  dispersed 
every  where,  in  a  lew  hours,  brought  the  melancholy 
news  of  this  unfortunate  battle  to  Lexington.  Manj 
Widows  ^ere  now  made.  The  reader  may  guess  what 
sorrow  filled  the  hearts  of  the  inhabitants,  exceeding  any* 
thing  (hat  I  am  able  to  describe.  Being  reinforced,  we 
returned  to  buiy  the  dead,  and  found  their  bodies  strew* 
ed  every  where,  cut  and  inangleL'  in  a  dreadful  manner. 
This  mournful  scene  exhibited  a  horror  almost  unparal. 
lelcd  ;  some  torn  and  eaten  by  wild  beasts  ;  those  in  the 
river  eaten  by  fibhes ;  all  in  such  a  putrid  condition,  that 
no  one  could  be  distinguished  from  another. 

When  General  Ciask,  at  the  falls  of  Ohio,  heard  of 
eur  disasier,  he  ordered  an  expedition  to  pursue  the  sav*^ 


^s^ 


— I4I<- 


rdof 


•(Mf  we  overtook  them  within  two  miles  of  their  towne, 
and  we  thould  have  obtained  «  great  viciorfi  had  not 
tome  of  them  met  us  whtrn  about  two  hundred  poles  from 
their  camp.  The  savages  fled  in  the  utmost  disorder, 
and  evacwicd  all  their  towns.  We  burned  to  ashes  Old 
Chelicothc,  Pcccawaf,  New  Chelicoihe»  Wills* Town  and 
Chelicothe }  entirely  destroyed  their  com  and  other 
fruits  (  and  spread  desolation  through  their  country.  Wo 
took  seven  prisoners  and  Ave  scalps  and  lost  only  four 
men,  two  of  whom  were  accidentally  killed  by  ourselves* 
This  campaign  damped  ilie  enemy)  yet  they  made  secret 
incursions. 

In  October  a  party  attacked  Crab  Orchard,  and  one  of 
them  being  a  good  way  beforci^ie  other>i  boldly  entered  ■ 
house,  in  which  were  only  a  woman  and  her  children*  and 
a  negro  man.  The  savage  used  no  violencO)  bat  attempt* 
ed  to  carry  off  the  negro,  who  happily  prov#ilk^1oo  strong 
for  him,  and  threw  him  on  the  ground,  and  in  the  strug* 
gle  the  woman  cut  off  his  head  with  an  axe— whilst  her 
little  daughter  shut  the  door.  The  savages  instantljr 
came  up  and  applied  their  tomahawks  to  the  door,  when 
the  mother  putting  an  old  rusty  gun  barrel  through  a  cre- 
vice, the  savages  immediately  went  off.  ^     «  «- 

From  that  time  till  the  happy  return  of  peace  between 
the  United  Slates  and  Great- Britain,  'ic  Indians  #d  ut 
no  miscbi«i*     Soon  after  this  the  Iniimns  desired  peace* 

Two  darling  sons  and  a  brother  1  have  lost  by  savage 
hands,  which  have  also  taken  from  me  40  valuable  horses, 
and  abundance  of  cattle.  Many  oark  and  sleepless  nights 
have  I  spent,  separated  from  the  cheerful  society  of  men} 
scorched  by  the  summer's  son,  and  pinched  by  the  win- 
ter's cold,  an  instrument  ordained  to  settle  the  wilderness. 
But  now  the  acenc  is  changed :  Peace  crowns  the  sylvan 
bhade.  DANI£L  BOON. 

iajette  Countj^  Kentwk^*  *^'* 


■  f 


!■-» 


^^ 


&.'i  i 


.1') 


•    V  > 


•A 


— Uf-. 


.•   *  V 


APPENDIX. 


^'iH^d^: 


'■■■ih-- 


IN  vindication  of  the  conduct  of  the  Americam, 
in  the  commencement  of  hostilities'with  the  natives  of 
the  country,  wt  shall  here,  as  v/t  proposed,  record  som* 
icw  instances  of  the  unprovoked  acts  6f  barbariijr  of  th« 
latter,  practiced  upon  the  defenceless  of  the  former.— 
As  was  mentioned  ioja  preceding  page,  although  a  peace 
was  happily  effected  between  the  two  contending  pow- 
ers, Great  Biiiain  and  America,  in  1783,  the  Savage* 
who  had  in  the  contest  decided  with  the  former,  wer« 
yet  unwilling  to  but y  the  if^oody  hatchet,  although  the 
Americans  proposed  a  peace  with  them  on  the  most  just 
and  equitable  terms. 

Dissatisfied  with  the  result  of  the  contest  of  their  aux. 
iliaries,  with  a  nation  whose  frequent  aggressions  and 
disposition  to  deprive  them  of  their  lands,  had  induced 
then)  to  have  recourse  to  the  fatal  tomahawk  and  scalp- 
ing knife  to  obtain  redress,  they  seemed  now  still  more 
exasperated  and  determined  on  the  sought  for  revenge  ; 
•—they  suffered  no  opportunity  to  pass  unimproved— the 
hoary  heuded  and  the  tender  infant  alike  fell  victims  to 
their  wanton  barbarity— to  counteract  which,  and  to  pre- 
vent the  further  effusion  of  innocent  blood,  was  an  army 
raised  and  sent  into  their  country,  first  to  offer  them 
peace  on  honoruble  terms,  but  if  rejected  to  act  on  the 
offensive.       v  ■■ -^.-v  vgi-n<  tv^^;^^'^   •^:ifVimr"^v.  ■^^■■-  'i^^ 

That  the  Savages  were  the  first  aggressors,  that  their 
unprovoked  acts  of  cruelty  drove  an  injured  people  to 
the  disagreeable  alternative  of  appealing  to  arms,  to  de- 
fend and  protect  the  livcs  of  their  defenceless  brethren, 
the  ioUuwing  melancholy  particulars  will  we  presume 
sufiice  to  convince  every  candid  reader  :-» 


•5W 


^k^-^ 


'■'*    W 


t  'i 


^14^-*. 


^    S. 


.' Jel/  ^ 


Copy  of  ft  letter  From   Mr.  John  Cor  bit  (a   Baptist 
minister)  to  hit  friend  in  Philadelphia,  dated 


•( 


Muddy  Creek,  (Penn.)  July  8.  1783. 


"  *i.DearSiry 

"  The  following  are  the   particulars  of  the  de- 
Ktruction  of  my  unfortunate  family  by  the  Savages — On 
the  1 0th  May  last  being  my   appointment   to    preach   at 
one  of  jny  meeting  houseK,  about  a  mile  from  my  dwel- 
ling house,  I  sat  out  with  my  loving  wife    and  five  chil- 
dren, for  public  worship.     Not  suspecting   any  danger* 
I  WiUked  behind  a  few  i(>di  with  my  bible  in    my    hand* 
meditating.— As  I  was  thus^employedt  on   a  sudden,  I 
was  greatly  alarmed  by  ihe  frightful  shrieks  of  my  dear 
family  before  me— I  immediately  ran  to  iheir  relief  with 
all  possible  spetd.  vainly  hunting  a  club  as  I  ran— when 
within  a  few  yaids  of  them,  my  poor  wife  observing  me, 
cried  out  to  me  to  make  my  escape — at   this    instant  an 
Indian  r»n  tip  to  shoot  me,  I  had  to  strip  and  by   so  do- 
ing out-ran  him.     My  wife  had  an    infant    in  her   arms 
which  the  Indians  killed  and  scalped,  after   which    they 
struck'my  wife  several  times,  but    not   bringing   her  to 
the  ground,  the  Indian  who  attempted  to  shoot   me   ap* 
proached  her  and    hoi  her  through  the  body,  after  which 
they  scalped  her ! — my  little   son,  about   six   years    old, 
they  desipatched  by  sinking  their  hatchets  into  his  brains  ! 
— imv  little  daughter,  four  years  old,  they  in  like   man- 
ner killed  snd  scalped  !     My  eldest  daughter    attempted 
an  escape  by  concealing  herself  in  a   hollow  tree,   about 
•ix  rods  from  the  fatal   scene   of  action — observing   the 
Indians  retiring  (as  she  supposed)  she  deliberately  crept 
from  the  place  of  her  concealment,  when  one  of  the  In> 
dians,  who  yet  remained  on  the  gronnd,  espying  her,  ran 
up  to  her  and  with  his  tomahawk  knocked  her  down  and 
scalped  her  !— but,  blessed  be  God,   she  yet  survives,  as 
doei  her  Uitl«  sister  vhoiu  the  savages  in  like  manner 


^ 


1*  i 


Ji:   i« 


'"■m- 


,1   I 


■i   1 


'  ¥ 


■"0 


t 


■^; 


toiAahtvtked  and  tcalpcd— thcf  are  mingled  to  « thotk* 
Ing  degree}  but  the  doclort  think  there  are  aome  hopei 
of  their  recovery,  ,m 

When  I  supposed  the  Indians  gone  t  returned  to  see 
what  had  become  of  my  unfortunate  family— whonii  a* 
laSf  I  found  in  the  situation  above  described  i— No  one* 
my  dear  friend,  can  form  a  true  conception  of  my  feel- 
ings at  this  moment—-a  view  of  a  scene  to  shocking  tO 
humanity  q*iite  overcome  me— I  fainted,  and  was  uncon- 
ciously  borne  off  by  a  friend  who  at  the  instant  arrived 
to  my  relief.  ; 

Thus,  dear  sir,  have  I  given  you  a  faithful  though  a 
*  short  narrative  of  the  fatal  catastrophe— -and  amidst 
which  my  life  is  spared,  but  lor  what  purpose  the  Great 
Jehovah  best  knows— oh,  may  I  spend  it  to  the  praise 
and  glory  of  his  grace,  who  worketb  all  things  after 
the  council  of  his  own  will— the  government  of  the  world 
and  the  church  is  in  his  hands.  I  conclude  with  wish* 
ing  you  every  blessing,  and  subscribe  myself  your  af- 
fectionate though  afflicted  friend,  end  unworthy  brother 
in  the  gospel  ministry,  JOHN  CORBLT." 

On  tlie  27th  September,  1784,  as  five  gentlemen 
(Messrs.  Jacobus  Tallek,  Isaac  Arnold,  James  Stk- 
WART,  Danibl  Babclat,  sod  Isaac  Van  Alsttnb,) 
were  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  at  a  place  called  the  river 
Burdell,  on  Lake  Erie,  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by 
four  Mahagon  or  Delaware  Indians,  (armed  with  mus- 
kets and  tomahawks)  who  fired  on  them  and  killed  Mr; 
Tallbr  and  Mr.  Barclay  dead  on  the  spot,  and  wound- 
ed Mr.  ARNOLQ-^they  then  rushed  on  with  their  toma- 
hawks—one attacked  Mr.  Arnold,  who,  after  a  smart 
struggle,  in  which  he  received  several  wounds  in  his  heady 
disengaged  himself,  and  having  a  musket  at  the  instant 
P relented  him  by  Mr.  Stswart)  snapped  it  (it  unforto- 


A*- 


< 


v^« 


.;« 


>■       V 


# 


— U5— 


Bitelf  not  being  charged)  at  the  Tndiani  who  immrdiatcif 
thereupon  with  the  three  others  fled  to  the  woods.  As 
soon  as  thry  had  dinppeared,  Mr.  Ahnolo  and  hia  com* 
panion  hasttned  to  the  shore  of  ifte  lake,  in  which  ihef 
launched  their  baiteau«  but  when  about  thirty  rods  from 
the  shore,  thejr  were  hailed  by  Mr.  Van  Alsttnk,  who. 
during  the  bloody  contest  had  secreted  himself  in  th« 
busnes— he  begged  uf  his  companions  to  return  and  taka 
him  on  board,  on  which  Mr.  Arnold  reque»ttd  him  to 
proceed  a  few  rods  down  (he  lake  to  a  point  of  landi 
where  he  cotild  more  con?enientIy  take  him  in — Mr.  Van 
Alsttnb,  it  was  suppofied.  misunderstanding  his  friend^ 
proceeded  directly  up  the  lake,  to  the  very  spot  where 
the  Indians  were  then  assembled,  who  with  their  toma- 
hawks instantly  despatched  him  ;  after  which  they  follow- 
ed the  two  survives,  in  an  old  csnoe,  two  or  three  miles 
down  the  lake,  Li  *^  ?ing  unable  to  overhaul  them,  tbejr 
discontinued  the  p  f:^^it. 


,t 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Col.  Robsstson  to  Genl  Wash* 
'  •      iNGTON,  dated, 

'Z?^   -:  »?»;*  f^-^Hi.  **  Nashville  y  Aug.  1,  1787. 

"  By  accounts  received  from  the  Chickasaw  na* 
tion  of  Indiana,  we  are  informed  that  at  a  grand  council 
of  their  warriors,  it  was  unanimously  deternniDed  to  com- 
mence active  operations  against  the  whites ;  the  Chero* 
kees  they  expect  will  join  them.  The  white  inhabitants 
in  this  quarter  are  drawing  together,  and  are  d^^itig every 
thing  possible  for  their  defence,  but  I  fear  without  some 
timely  assistance  we  shall  all  (all  a  sarrifice  to  the  wan- 
ton barbarity  of  our  savage  foes,  who  we  expect  are  now 
on  their  way  to  this  place  to  the  number  of  one  thousand* 
Major  Hall  and  his  eldest  son  fell  a  sacrifice  to  their  fu- 
ry  two  ddys  ago,  near  Bedloc'a  Lick.    Tbey  have  killed 


V  ■ 

I; 


Mi' 


ill- 


T! 


!  !, 


iti 


7 


'-^ 


^146^ 


f-l.  f  <  -if. 

I'  »l    %     •      i'     ;?. 


#■  '  * 


Va 


?.* 


:•(  I 


iffcMi  twanty'fbur  pertoiis  Td  th<:^'coapi«  6f  »  few  irmtby 
io  thit  Mttlement,  bnidee  a  grcAt  Mumbsr  more  near  \U 

From  Burke  county  we  learn  that  on  the  1 1th  instant, 
tvo  nen,  •  womsn*  and  her  little  daughter,  wei*e  icalp. 
0k  at  WilHams'ti  S^^^mpi  on  the  Ogechee  river,  by  a 
pirty  of  Itotnant— t^  little  girl  (to  deter  them  from  their 
cruel  design)  held  out  a  bottle  of  Honey,  telling  them  it 
Wat  rum,  begging  them  in  the  mean  time  to  spare  her 
nfeo—they  told  her  they  did  not  w^ant  mm,  but  her  hair  !— 
they  knocked  her  down  and  sca^^/ed  her,  but  we  are  hap^ 
py  to  lea*rn  abe  is  in  a  fkir  way  of  recovery. 

By  a  letter  from  Kentucky,  I  am  infortied  that  the  In- 
dians have  done  more  mischief  in  that  state  the  present 
year,  than  for  at  least  four  years  past.  Scarce  a  boat 
can  past  below  Limestone  but  what  is  attacked  by  them  ; 
•ix  or  seven  have  been  captured,  some  with  very  valuable 
lading— >by  a  prisoner  who  escaped  from  them  a  short 
time  since,  we  a.'s  informed  that  the  Indians  have  pro* 
cured  a  boat,  or  rather  a  kind  of  floating  battery,  with 
the  aides  built  high  and  rendered  bullet  proof;  this  boat 
is  stationed  near  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami.  They 
a  Ibw  days  since  captured  a  boat  in  which  were  a  Capt. 
AsBLBT  and  his  family— a  son  of  the  captain  having 
been  very  spirited  in  the  opposition,  the  savages  imme- 
diately put  him  to  death,  cut  out  his  heart  and  broiled  it, 
which  they  afterwards  devoured  in  the  presence  of  t4ie 
unhappy  father,  who  hat  since  made  his  escape  from 
them— a  proceeding  so  barbarous  as  this,  I  have  never 
heard  ot  being  practiced  by  the  savages  before.'* 


CSopy  of  a  letter  from  General  Clarxk  to  his  Honor  tht 

Governor  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  dated, 
•V.  **  Leng-Creeki  Sept.  24,  IfBT* 

"I  had  certain  information  that  a  man  wfts  kiUeil 


fc«T*J> 


»l 


rsr. 


«ti  ihe  14(h  ntar  Green«borooglii  bj  •  parljr  of  six  or 
lewtn  lodiaM  (  and  that  on  tbe  16th  Col.  Bam«ii,  wUM 
•  small  part/  was  waylaid  by  90  or  60  indiatia  {  and  thM 
he  had  three  of  bia  party  killed.    This,  and  the  inrorm^ 
tioii  contained  in  Mr.  fiAitNAiD's  Ust  Ittter^  and  a  ?aHe* 
If  of  other  accounts  equaitjr  alarming,  determined  me  to 
raise  what  men  I  could  in  the  course  of  84  hourSt  and 
marched   with  them  to  protect  the  frontierti  in  which 
apace  of  time  I  collected  163  meni  chiefly  volunteers,  and 
proceeded  to  the  place  where  Col.  Barbib  had  been  at. 
tacked,  where  I  found  the  bodies  of  the  three  men  men- 
tioned above,  mangled  in  a  shocking  manner,  and  after  I 
bad  buried  them,  proceeded  on  the  trail  of  t>ie  rourder< 
era  as  far  as  the  south  fork  of  the  Oakmulgee.  where, 
finding  I  had  no  chance  of  otertaking  them,  I  Itft  it  and 
went  up  tka  said  river,  tintil  I  met  with  a  fresh  truU  of 
Indiana  coming  in  towards  our  frontier  settlements ;  I 
immediately  turned  and  followed  this  trail  until  the  morn, 
iag  of  the  Slst,  between  11  and  13  o'clock,  when  I  cam* 
up  with  them.    They  bad  just  crossed  a  branch  called 
Jack's  Creek,  through  a  thick  cane  brake,  and  were  en. 
camped  and,  cooking  on  an  emine.ice.     My  force  then 
consisted  of  ISO  men,  30  having  been  sent  back  on  ac> 
count  of  their  horses  being  tired  and  lost.    I  drew  up 
my  men  in  three  divisions,  the  right  commanded  by  Col. 
Frbbman  and  Major  Clarkb,  who  were  ordered  to  sur- 
round and  chaige  the  Indians,  which  they  did  with  such 
dexterity  and  spiri:  that  they  immediately  drove  them 
from  their  encampment  back  into  the  cane  brake,  where, 
finding  it  impossible  for  them  to  escape,  they  obstiiutely 
returned  our  fire  until  half  past' four  o'clock,  when  they 
ceased,  except  now  and  then  a  shot. 

*•  During  the  latter  part  of  the  action  they  seized  every 
opportunity  of  escaping  by  small  parlies  leaving  the  rest 
to  shift  for  themselves.    About  sunset  I  thought  it  most 


ni' 


':'' 


M 


1 1 


:i;J 


mm 


:  lg")"'» 


V'# 


*..C' 


¥ 


■?> 


if..; 


ii  ; 


—148-^ 


•dviseable  to  draw  off,  m  the  men  had  tuflbred  for  want 
•f  provision*  nearly  two  dayi,  and  for  want  of  water  dur- 
ing the  action,  but  more  panicutarlf  to  take  care  of  thi 
woundedt  which  ainoun'ed  to  eleven«and  six  killed.  Frona 
every  circumstance  I  am  certain  there  were  not  le«a  than 
S5  Indiani  killed,  and  am  mduced  to  suppose,  that  could 
I  have  ktaid  all  night  '  mr  t  have  found  40  or  50  dead  of 
their  wounds  by  th«  .iK  ning— In  short  they  were  total- 
ly defeated,  with  tbe  lo«4  of  their  provisions,  cloathing, 
8cc.  consiatiog  of  the  following  particulara  :  2  gunn,  33 
brass  kettles,  and  87  large  packs,  containing  b'ankets, 
match  coats,  boots,  muccasons,  tomahawks,  pipes,  up- 
wards of  too  hdlters  and  bribles,  &c.  from  all  which  I 
judge  their  number  was  fully  equal  to  oui «.   Co).  Fbik- 
iSAn  and  Major  Claris  distinguished  themselves,  and 
from  the  spirit  and  bravery  with  which  the  whole  of  my 
little  party  acted  during  the  action,  I  do  not  believe   that 
had  we  met  them  in  the  open  wood*,  we  should  hate 
been  more  than  five  minutes  in  destroying  them  all* 
;  "  While  I  was  on  this  excursion  two  skirmishes  hap- 
pened near  Greensborough,rn  one  of  which  one  man  wca 
wounded,  and  in  the  other  six  stand  of  arms   were  lost, 
being  guarded   by  only  two  men,   while  the  rest  of  the 
party  was  gathering  fodder. 

"  I  have  now  to  beg  your  attention  to  the  unfortunate 
wounded,  who  are  at  Read's  Fort ;  a  doctor,  some  wine, 
tea,  coffee,  and  sugar,  are  indispensably  necessary. 

<*  I  am,  Sir,  with  the  utmost  r<tspect,  your  Honor'a 
most  obeuient,  and  very  humble  servant, 

"  B.  CLARK,  Brig,  Ctn, 

"  Tf^  lion.  Georgt  Mftthevs^  Governor  of  Georgia,*' 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  James  Maxwell,  to  Brig< 
adier-General  Jackson,  dated  1 6th  Match,  1788. 
*'0n  the  6ih  inst.  Capt.  StirlikG;  of  this  regimenti 


. 


-^r:'' 


— 14f-^ 


tMfeived  intelligence  of  t  party  of  Indiant  collecting  ttoclt 
•Ter  the  river  Alatamaha,  whereupon  he  ordered  five 
picked  horsemen^  well  mounted,  to  cross  the  river.  Thejr 
lax  ^^*^  night  at  ihe  evacuated  fort  called  William's,  and 
on  Saturday  morning  proceed  up  the  iwuth  side  of  the 
river,  and  at  Pninholloway  creek  found  their  trail,  which 
they  followed,  and  about  two  o'clock  came  up  with  themi 
twelve  in  number,  with  seventeen  head  of  cattle  and  a 
drove  of  hogs.  The  white  party  insmediately  charged, 
and  drove  the  Indians  for  a  considerable  dis'at.ce,  until 
they  gained  a  bayi  where  they  resolutely  fuced  tibout,  and 
finding  the  small  number  of  whites,  entered  into  a  spirit* 
cd  action,  which  continued  for  some  time,  during  which 
two  of  the  Indians  were  killed ;  but  the  superiority  of 
numbers  obliged  the  white  party  to  retreat,  after  having 
one  of  their  horses  killed,  another  so  wounded  as  to  be  of 
little  service,  one  of  the  men  wounded  through  the  handy 
and  anotht  r  slightly  in  the  neckt  I  irtake  no  doubt  but 
they  will  leave  the  stock  and  make  off.  as  this  is  the  first 
check  they  have  had  in  this  part.  The  names  of  the  five 
brave  men  who  fought  so  supf  r  a  number,  almost 
three  to  one,  and  who  would  in  all  probability  have  de- 
stroyed the  Indian  party  but  for  the  swaropi  are,  GiTfiy, 
Hjartr,  Kitic^  WAGGotmt  and  Comkbh  ;  Gnenf  was 
slight!)  wounded  in  the  neck,  //if Ar«r  tendered  unfit  for 
action  by  a  shot  in  the  hand,  Kisc's  horse  was  wounded, 
WJGGotiBS's  horse  was  killed  en  the  «pot,  and  his  rifle  al- 
most cboak^d  the  first  fire,  and  Cohkmr  lost  his  only  flint 
in  the  aclion,  yet  with  all  those  disiidvantages,  ihey  made 
a  safe  and  secure  retreat.  IVjggombk,  a  poor  man,  lust 
his  horse,  bridle,  saddle  and*blanket.  I  hope  his  country 
will  make  him  whole*  Capt.  LbHrts,  whose  corps  is  very 
valiiable,  has  scouted  as  far  as  Ohoopie  wi  h  success.— 
Most  vTihe  settlers  on  the  frontier  have  removed  to  their 
plantations."  ^  ^ 


.*v« 


^«(««~*4%, 


»*!»' 


i—UO««. 


M 


'   A  l 


'i-A 


m' 


\\\H 


Od  Ihe  1st  April,  1788,  a  partj  -of  Indiani  ftttache^ 
tile  dwelling  house  of  a  Mr.  Jobh  MtaaiL,  tn  Nel«(OB 
county  (KeniuckjrO— Mr.  Mkbril,  who  was  first  alarmr 
ed  by  the  barking  of  his  dog,  hastened  to  the  door  to 
idtscover  ihe  cause,  on  optniog  of  which  he  received  tba 
fire  of  the  Indians  which  broke  his  right  leg  and   arm<«- 
the  Indians  now  attempted  to  enter  the  house,  but  waa 
prevented  by  the  doors  being  immediatelf  closed  and  se- 
cured by  Mrs.  Msrbil  and   her  daughter— the   Indians 
succeeded  in  hewing  away  a  part  of  the   door,  througk 
which  passdge  one  of  ihem  attempted  to  enter,   but   the 
heroic  mother,  in  the  midst  of  her  screaming  childreo 
and  groaning  huitbandy  seised  an  axe  and  gayr  the   ruf> 
fian  a  fatal  blow;  after  which  she   hauled   him  through 
the  passage  into  the  house  !— the  others  (unconcious  oC 
the  fate  of  their  companion)  supposing  that  they  had 
now  nearly  succeeded  in  their  object,  rushed  forwardi 
four  of  whom  Mrit.  Mkbril  in  like  manner  despatched 
before  the  cUiers  discovered  their  mistake.— The  reir.ain- 
ing  Indians,  after  retiring  for  a  lew   momentS)  returned 
and  renewed  their  efforts  to  enter  the  house— despairing 
of  succeeding  at  the  door  they  got  on  the   top  of  iha 
house  and  attempted  to  descend  the  chimney,  to  prevent 
which,  Mr.  Mbrril  directed  his  little. son  to  empty  upon 
the  fire  the  contents  of  a  feather-bed,  which  had  the  de- 
sired effect,  as  the  smoke  and  heat  caused  thereby,  soon 
brought  down  rather  unexpectedly  two  of  the  enemy  1— 
Mr.  MERitiL  exerting  every  faculty  at  this  critical  mo« 
ment,  seized  a  oillet  of  wood  vnlh  which  he  soon  des- 
patched the  two  half  smothered  Indians^  while   in  tha 
mean  time  his  heroic  wife  was   busily  engaged   in   de* 
fending  the  door  against  the  efforts  of  the  only  remain- 
ing one,  whom  she  so  severely  wounded   with  an  axe 
that  he  was  soon  glad  to  retire. 
A  priiioner  who  escaped  from  the  enemy  soon  after 


n 


'         y  .    .   ^  . 


# 


iki  trtnstction,  informed  that  the  wounded  stvage  abotii^ 
mratitincd  was  the  only  one  that  escaped  of  the  party, 
which  consittcd  of  eight— .that  on  his  return  being  asked 
bjr  the  prisoner  "  what  news,"  he  answered  **  bad  news 
for  poor  Indian,  me  lose  a  son,  me  io«e  a  brother— the 
squaws  have  taken  the  breech  clout  and  fight  wor&e  tbuil 
the  "  £on^  JTmvw  ."•  - 

On  the  Sd  June,  1788,  as  two  nten  and  three  boys 
were  fishing  on  Floyd's  fork  of  Salt  River,  thty  were 
sittddenly  attacked  by  a  par:y  of  Indians,  -,whu  killed  the 
the  two  nnen  and  nnade  prisoners  of  the  boys.  Soon  af- 
ter they  liberated  ont*  of  the  lads,  firnt  presenting  him 
with  a  tomahawk,  which  they  desired  him  torarry  to  his 
friends,  and  infoim  ihem  what  had  become  of  his  com- 
panions. 

>About  the  20th,  the  Indians  fired  on  nine  Frenchmen 
as  they  were  proceeding  up  the  Wabash  river,  four  of 
whom  they  killed  and  wounded  three— on  examining  the 
dead  they  discovered  one  of  them  to  be  a  French  trader, 
who  was  married  to  a  daughter  of  John  Brandt,  the  fa- 
mous Indian  Chief,  on  which  they  assisted  in '  cutting 
the  arrows  out  of  the  wounded  men,  and  afier  exprea* 
king  great  sorrow  for  what  they  had  done,  departed. 

On  the  10th  July  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  the  house 
of  a  Mr.  Chenowetb,  they  killed  and  scalped  two  of 
his  children  end  tomahawked  ard  scalped  his  wife,  whom 
they  left  for  dead— Mr.  C.  (who  hao  his  arm  broken  by 
the  fire  of  the  savages)  with  the  remamder  cf  the  fami- 
ly made  their  escape.— A  sick  daughter  who  was  confin- 
ed to  her  chamber,  aad  who  during  the  bloody  affray  bad 
been  forgotten  by  her  father,  remained  ignorant  of  the 
horrid  massacre  until  the  succeeding  day  ;  when,  no  one 
of  the  family  coming  to  her  assistance,  she  succeeded  in 
cnwling  down  itairsi  where  ahc  was  inexpressibly  shock- 


H 


255 


npmi 


V' 


I 


'f 


'  '..I 


ii'  i 


cd  at  (fie  tif^ht  of  a  beloved  parent  atretehed  vpmi  the 
floor,  almokt  lirelest,  and  bcaide  of  whom  lajr  the  manf 
led  bodiet  of  her  dear  brothers.  Fortunaiclyi  her  unhap- 
py father  returned  the  succeeding  day  to  the  hottsei  and 
conveyed  the  two  surviving  n^embert  of  hi»  faroilj  to  the 
bouse  of  a  friend,  where  they  finally  recovered. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Maxwell,  to  his  Ekcel- 
•  W  lency  the  Governor  of  Georgia*  da*ed 

^   .  '<  Midvtajft  (Liberty  County)  May  S4,  I78f. 

Sir, 

"  Last  Tuesday  there  was  a  train  of  Indians  discov- 
ered making  for  this  settlement,  by  a  few  men  employed 
as  spies.  I  immediately  issued  out  orders  for  embody- 
ing the  militia,  and  three  small  parties  were  collected  on 
the  frontiers  that  night.  On  Wednesday  morning,  aa 
soon  as  a  party  of  my  men  turned  out  of  the  foH  the 
Indians  attempted  to  seize  them.  There  were  six  ne- 
groes who  turned  out  of  the  fort  wiih  guns,  who  as  soon 
as  they  discovered  the  Indians,  retreated  back  into 
the  fort,  to  which  they  were  closely  pursued  by  the  In- 
dians— there  was  a  considerable  number  of  men  in  tht 
fort,  by  whom  it  was  most  gallantly  defended,  while  some 
of  those  who  quit  the  fort  attacked  the  enemy  in  the 
rear,  which  soon  made  them  retreat  with  some  loss  to 
a  fence,  where  they  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  at  the  fort,  for 
some  time,  without  effect.  They  carried  ofF  three  ne* 
groes.  Several  parties  of  men  soon-  got  to  the  place,  but 
pursued  without  waiting  to  collect  a  force  sufHcient  to  at- 
tack them.  Capt.  Fsasxh,  with  a  small  party,  came  up 
with  them  on  the  side  of  a  swamp,  which  they  immedi- 
ately run  into,  and  prevented  his  charging  them.  It  ap- 
pears from  the  best  accounts,  that  there  were  at  least  fifty 
in  that  party.  The  next  morning  they  killed  a  man  at  a 
pUntatton  of  Capt.  SAtfOsa'Sf  just  below  the  one  which 


*'%: 


♦ 


<lf 


Itity  •accMsfbllf  attacked  Uat  tpring;  and  on  Fridtf 
night  tbef  attacked  a  amall  gvard  within  a  mile  and  half 
of  me,  the  guard  beat  thtm  off  with  the  lota  of  one  man 
killed*  Thejr  carried  off  a  negro  wehch  and  a  child  a  tmall 
distance  from  the  place,  stabbed  the  wench  in  acteral 
places  with  a  knife,  scalped  her,  and  killed  the  child )  the 
wench  has  come  in,  but  is  not  expected  to  li?e* 


Copf  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  the  armjr  to  his  friend 

^  in  Philadelphia,  dated, 

'^^*^  '  «  Bppids  of  Ohio,  Feb.  Itt,  \T69. 


"  Our  affairs  In  this  quarter  at  present  bear  a 
I^Toomy  aspect.— I  am  just  returned  from  Po^t  Vincennes, 
On  the  Wabash,  with  a  detachment  of  55  men,  who  were 
employed  as  an  escort  to  provision  for  that  garrison  ;  and 
believe  m;>  Sir,  it  it  aKnost  next  fq  an  accident,  that  my 
whole  pauy  was  not  cut  off,  the  river  was  lined  with  In- 
dians* I  routed  two  parties,  and  finding  where  their 
strength  la^,  evaded  coming  to  action,  by  crossing  to  the 
oth6r  side  of  the  river  ;  and,  in  short,  I  made  such  ex< 
pedition,  that  they  had  not  time  to  aiserr.ble  in  one  body. 
They  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  another,  who  were 
lant  down  express  In  a  light  canoe  to  me,  directing  me 
to  fortify  on  an  island,  until  I  could  be  reinforced.  I 
completed  a  passage  to  and  from  the  post  in  3 1  days.— 
The  distance  between  the  two  places  is  called  530  miles* 
This  will  prove  to  you  how  easy  it  is  to  ascend  the  river 
Ohio.  The  Indians  are  daily  committing  depredations 
in  Kentucky,  and  from  the  Miaftii  we  learn  that  the 
troops  there  would  be  ansafe  to  go  200  yards  from  their 
post,  as  lurking  fellows  are  frequently  seen  in  wait  for 
them*  I  Want  much  to  know  if  our  new  councils  are 
about  to  take  measures  to  get  possession  of  the  Western 
Posts.  ThiS|  and  this  alone^  will  secure  peace  with  the 
.  U 


l\ 


Y' 


Indian*.  The  pretence  of  the  Governor  it  much  want' 
cd  at  the  different  lettletnenta  on  the  MiitUaippi :  and  in. 
deed  it  he  does  not  come  out  eoon,  we  may  judf^e  from 
appearances  those  tettlementa  will  generalljr  break  up. 

<'  Mr.  Mattis,  a  lurveyor,  with  his  party,  were  oi^ 
the  0th  of  August  attacked  by  the  Indians.    His  party 
con»isted  of  a  cer))oral»  six  soldiers,  and  five  New-Eng- 
land men,  vvho  were  employed  in  surveying  near  the  great 
Kenhawa,  about  100  mites  down  the  river  from  KSarieila* 
Two  of  the  party  rising  earlier  than  the  others,  went  to 
look  after  their  pack-horaea  i^  the  remainder  (11  in  num* 
ber)  after  having  risen,  were  sitting  on  their  blankets* 
when  they  received  an  unexpected  fire  from  a  party  of 
Indians,  not  knowing  there  were  any  near  them.    Seven 
were  shot  dead  on  the  apot  ;  the  remaining  three,  with 
Mr.  Mattis,  and  the  two  who  were  looking  for  their 
horses  made  their  escape ;  the  unfortunate  peraons  killed 
were  6  soldiers,  and  a  New-England  man  by  the  name 
ot  Patcbbn,  from  near  Boston.— Mr.  Mattis  and  the 
others  made  their  way  down  the  river,  where  Col.  Mxios 
with  a  party  were  also  surveying.    They  found  them 
alarmed,  as  one  of  the  chain- bearers  had  discovered  two 
doga  ahead  of  them  in  the  woods ;  they  immediately  dis- 
charged their  guns  and  re*loadt-d,  which  proved  a  lucky 
circumstance,  aa  the  Indians  then  lying  in  ambush  for 
them  to  come  on,  supposing  themselves  discovered,  went 
off,  first  drawing  with  wet  powder  on  the  bark  of  a  tree, 
the  figure  of  an  Indian  tomahawking  a  man*  Col.  Mxioa 
and  hia  parly  immediately  quitted  their  employ  and  re- 
turned safe  to  Marietta.    A  party  of  Shawanese  Indiana 
afterwards  took  a  New-England  man  (Mr.  Garovxr) 
prisoner  at  Wolf-Creek;   he  was  employed  in  cutting 
timber  for  a  mill  now  building  at  that  place,  ^8  miles  from 
Marietta,  but  being  an  excellent  woodsman,  he  made  hia 
esca^'C  after  traveliiog  60  or  70  milea  with  them*" 


a:  ■ 


r  r 


.,* 


^iSf* 


Co|iy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentlemin  in  Marietta  to  hi« 
#>•  friend  in  Wanliingion,  da(ed» 

t  **  Maritua,  March  4,  1789.    . 

*'  About  eight  weeks  since,  two  brothers  br  the  name 
•f  JoHNaoN,  one  It,  the  other  9  jrears  old,'  were  piayinjc 
on  the  western  banic  of  Short  Creek«  about  twelve  miles 
from  Wheeling,  skipping  stones  in  the  water.— At  a  dis- 
tance they  discovered  two  men,  who  appeared  to  be  set- 
tlers, tteiog  dressed  with  coats  and  bats.— These  men  to 
amuse  and  deceive  the  children  (as  the  event  shewed) 
engaged  in  the  same  sport,  advancing  towards  the  boys, 
till  by  degrees  they  got  au  near  that  the  children  discov- 
ered Ihem  to  be  Indians  ;  but  it  was  then  loo  late  lo  make 
thair  escape.  The  Indians  seized  and  carried  them  six 
miles  into  the  woods,  where  they  made  a  fire,  and  took 
op  their  lodgings  for  the  night ;  their  rifles  and  toma- 
hawks they  rested  against  a  tree,  and  then  laid  down, 
each  Indian  with  a  boy  on  his  &rm.  The  children  as 
may  be  supposed  kept  awake— the  oldest  begun  to  move, 
and  finding  his  Indian  sound  asleep,  by  degreen  disen. 
gaged  himself,  and  went  to  the  fire,  which  had  then  got 
low  and  ttirred  it  up;  the  Indian  not  waking,  he  whisper- 
ed to  his  brother,  who  likewise  crept  away,  and  both  of 
them  went  t«  the  fire.  The  oldest  buy  then  observed  to 
his  brother,  *^  1  think  we  can  kill  these  Indians,  and  get 
away  from  them"— the  youngest  agreed  in  the  proposal 
of  attempting  it.  The  oldest  then  took  one  of  the  rifles, 
and  placed  the  muzzlci  wnich  he  rested  on  a  aniull  stick 
that  he  found  for  the  purpose,  close  to  the  head  of  one 
of  the  Indians,  and  committing  the  execution  of  this  piit 
of  the  business  to  bis  brother,  ordered  him  to  puit  the; 
trigger  at  the  moment  he  saw  him  strike  the  other  In- 
dian with  one  of  the  tomahawks.  The  oldest  gave  the 
signal;  the  youngest  pulled  trigger— the  rifle  shot  away 
the  lower  part  of  the  Indian's  face  and  left  him  sense* 


I ' 


!  ) 


\      '< 


fri 


•*♦  ♦I 


ii 


leii ;  be  then  told  h!*  brother  lo  kijr  oRy  for  he  had  doof 
for  his ;  afier  which  he  snatched  up  the  gun  and  ran }  thf 
boy  with  (he  tomahawk  g^ve  the  stroke  with  the  wrong; 
end,  the  Indian  started  on  his  seat— the  boy  found  the 
mistake,  and  turning  the  tomahawk  in  b'a  hand«  gate 
him  another  blow  which  brought  him  to  the  ground ;  he 
repeated  his  strokes  until  he  had  despatched  him«  and 
then  made  the  be^t  of  his  way  after  his  brother.  Whei| 
the  boys  had  found  the  path  which  they  recollected  to  have 
travelled  before,  the  oldest  ftxed  his  hat  on  a  bush,  as  i| 
directory  to  find  the  scene  of  action  the  next  day*  The 
tomahawked  Indian  waa  found  near  the  place  where  the 
bo\s  hud  left  him*  The  other  waa  not  there  $  but  waa 
tracked  by  his  blood,  and  although  so  weakened  by  hia 
wounds,  that  he  could  not  raise  his  rifle  to  fire  at  his  pur* 
auers  (the  whites)  they  suffered  him  to  escape ;  but  it  ia 
supposed  he  must  have  died  of  hia  wounds.  These  two 
Indiana  were  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  the  best  place  for  u| 
attack,  which  waa  to  have  been  made  by  a  body  of  warri- 
ors, waiting  in  the  neighborhood* 

**  Late  accounts  from  Kentucky  advise^  that  about  tho 
first  of  last  month,  the  remains  of  two  boats  which  had 
been  burnt  (doubtless  by  the  savages)  were  discovered 
ashore  on  a  small  island  in  the  river  Ohio,  about  18  miles 
above  Limestone,  that  14  men  had  al»o  been  found  oq 
said  island  killed  and  scalped,  that  these  unfortunate  vic- 
tims to  sf*vage  barbarity  were  judged  to  bs  part  of  the 
crews  cf  said  bca^s,  and  it  is  conjectured  that  the  women 
and  children  belonging  to  them  were  taken  prisoners  to 
the  Indian  country.  That  on  the  lOth  of  the  same  month) 
18  horses  were  carried  ufT  by  a  party  of  Indians  from  a 
place  called  the  Hoiling  Fork,  that  seven  men  pursued 
the  plunderers,  and  came  up  with  them  a  short  distance 
from  their  encampment,  when  an  engagement  took  place, 
in  which  one  white  man  of  the  name  of  Wilsok,  waa 


.,#. . 


•r'kJl 


tu^' 


■■v» 


ImIM  }  wd  Mf eral  of  the  Uwnj  race  rntbing  out  from 
the  camp  to  succour  their  brethren)  obliged  the  other  sis 
to  mnkit  •  precipiute  retreat."    , 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentleman  residing  at  the  we«t< 
:fiiii^;fi%  ''W**  to  *  fri«»<i  in  New* York,  dated,         ixm, 
1^'P ^Mm^Sm^m'-i-^-^^^^ff     "  i/«">««i  Feb.  I,  ir90. 

"  Our  proepeots  arc  much  changed.— Instead  of  peace 
and  friendship  with  our  Indian  neighbors^  a  horrid  savage 
war  stares  us  in  the  face  ;  the  Indiana,  instead  of  being 
humbled  by  the  de»iruction  of  the  Shawaneso  towns,  and 
brought  to  beg  ibr  peace,  appear  deiermined  on  a  gener- 
al war,  in  whith  our  settlemenu  are  already  involved.— 
On  the  evening  of  the  second  inatant,  they  fell  on  a  set- 
tlement about  forty  miles  up  the  MuskinguBD)  aurprised 
a  block'houM,  killed  fourteen  peraona,  and  carried  off 
three  others*  The  persons  killed  are,  John  and  Philip 
Stacy,  sona  to  Cok  William  Stacy,  from  Nkw- Salem,  Ka- 
ra Putnam,  aea  to  Major  Estra  Pumam,  from  Middle* 
town,  in  Massachttsetia,  John  Camp,  from  the  same 
place,  Jonathaa  Farewell,  and  James  Cash,  and  William 
Fatton,  from  New-Hampahire»  Zebubo  Troop,  from 
IBaare,  William  James,  from  ConDecti<^ut,  Joseph  Clarke, 
from  i^hode*  Island,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Mceks,  with 
his  wife  and  children,  from  Virginia.  These  were  all 
killed  in  an4  it  the  Uock*house.  Francis  and  Isaac 
Choat,  from  Leiceaiey,  and  one  Shaw,  who  kept  at  a  hut 
about  50  rods  from  the  block- house,  was  nut  found  by  the 
party  that  went  out,  and  it  is  hoped  that  they  are  prison- 
ers.—What  number  of  I^iana  were  concerned  in  this 
mischiet,  or  from  what  tribe,  we  know  nut,  but  from  those 
Indians  who  till  lately  used  to  visit  our  settlement  every 
day,  withdrawing  themstlvea  entirely  t'roir  our  sight,  ever 
since  the  expedition  against  the  Shawsnese,  there  is  little 
reason  to  doubt  but  the  Delawares  and  the  Wiandots,  aia 


\\\ 


I  ! ' 


1 1: 


■il 


»■><.. 


^158^ 


u  jr-' 


^  't 


i\mii 


II 


welj  «•  otlieni  Imtc  had  a  hand  in  thii  nefariont  b»f« 
nasi. 

"  It  it  impossible  for  me  to  give  you  a  jast  idea  of  the 
distress  into  which  this  event  has  thrown  the  inhabitants! 
eapecially  those  of  the  out  settlements.  For  my  own 
part  I  have  for  some  time  been  of  opinion  i  that  the  spring 
would  open  with  a  general  attack  on  the  frontiers,  in  which 
event  I  did  not  expect  we  should  escape,  unless  govern* 
ment  should  timely  send  troops  for  our  protection,  which 
we  was  in  hopes  would  be  the  case.  But  it  seems  the 
enemy  are  determined  to  take  advantage  of  our  defence- 
less situation.  I  consider  this  event  as  the  forerunner  of 
other  attacks  of  a  more  serious  nature,  and  which  may 
involve  us  in  complete  ruin,  unless  prevented  by  govern- 
ment immediately  taking  measures  for  our  protection.— 
To  their  protection  I  conceive  we  always  had  an  indispu- 
table claim,  which  claim,  if  possible,  is  increased  by  tho 
circumstances  that  have  brought  us  under  the  resent- 
ment of  the  Indians,  and  at  least,  in  some  measure  pro* 
duced  the  mischiefs  that  we  are  fallen  ipto." 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Kentucky  to   his 
/•AKi^..  \  r.        friend  in  I^biladelphiai  dated    ■wf^^vms^p'^ 

'*  April  4,  1789. 

«  As  to  the  Indians,  they  have  been  troublesome  all 
winter.  Since  October  last,  60  persons  have  been  kil- 
led within  the  limits  of  this  district,  besides  a  number 
destroyed  on  the  Ohio  ;  among  whom  is  our  old  acquain- 
tance, Mr.  John  Mat,  late  of  Botetoute,  whose  exit 
deserves  notice,  because  he  was  actuated  by  motives  of 
humanity.  The  affair  is  thus  related  by  a  captive  that 
has  lately  made  his  escape  from  the  Indians,  who  was  a 
spectator,  and  an  unwilling  instrument  in  the  tragedy. 

Mr.  Mat,  in  descending  the  Great  Kanhawa   and  O- 
hio,  abcut  the  80th  ef  March  last,  discovered  on   the 


m^^ 


* 


— i5f-:  *^ 

western  shore  of  the  latter,  near  the  mouth  of  Sciola,  m 
white  man,  who,  with  a  plaintive  voice,  was  calling,  for 
God's  sake,  to  come  and  talce  a  poor  prisoner  on  boardt 
that  was  endeavoring  to  escape  from  the  savages.  This 
had  the  intended  effect.  Mr,  Mat  ordered  the  boat  to- 
wards the  shore,  and  did  not  discover  his  mistake  until 
the  Indians  rose  up  from  their  ambush,  fired,  bhot  him 
dead,  and  wounded  some  others  of  the  passengers  on 
board,  who  immediately  endeavored  to  make  off;  but 
being  told  in  the  English  tongue,  they  should  have  good 
quartets,  surrendered  wirhout  resistance.  The  Indians, 
however,  on  boarding  the  boat,  massacred  all,  without 
distinction.  Two  days  after,  the  same  party  attempted 
to  decoy  three  large  boats  ashore  that  were  coming  down 
from  Fort  Pitt,  but  luckily  they  were  discovered  in  time, 
and  our  people  sheered  off.  The  enemy,  being  prepar- 
ed, manned  one  of  their  boats  with  about  SO  warriors, 
and  gave  chase.  The  crews  of  two  of  the  boats,  fear* 
ing  they  might  be  overtaken,  quilted  them,  and  went 
on  board  the  best  sailor,  where  they  threw  overboard  ail 
the  horses,  and  some  heavy  articles,  and  plied  all  their 
oars  to  effect  their  escape.  The  Indians  also  exerted 
themselves  in  the  pursuit,  keeping  on  a  steady  course 
for  about  20  miles,  notwithstanding  24  well  armed  white 
men  were  on  board  the  American  boat,  with  one  of  our 
Colonels  of  Militia,  and  the  sides  of  the  boitX  high  and 
bullet- proof. 

Thus,  for  want  of  a  little  resolution  and  skill,  a  fa- 
vourable  opportunity  was  lost,  to  destroy  a  number  of 
the  vile  enemies  to  the  human  race.  The  Indians,  on 
their  return,  took  possession  of  the  two  boats  that  were 
abandoned,  and  found  in  them  IT  horses,  5000  dollars 
worth  of  merchandise,  and  considerable  property,  be- 
longing to  the  emigrants. 

Fort  M'Intosh,  on  the  Ohio,  was  a  short  time  since 


1 


•  I 


■^ :.'. 


.160-^ 


m^  - 


attacked  by  a  party  of  Indiana^thejr  secreted  themselvei 
iiear  the  fort  and  succeeded  in  kill'ng  the  centiael  on  du- 
ty, ihey  then  rushed  into  the  fort  and  discharged  their 
pieces  on  those  wUhih,  but  ofie  man  Was  Wounded,  who, 
in  endeaToormg  to  escape,  was  tn'^/iahawked  by  an  In* 
dian.  One  ball  just  grazrd  the  temple  of  capt;  Forbes, 
who  commanded  the  guard,  and  fou'  others  struck  the 
log  above  his  head,  the  splinters  and  bits  of  which  cut 
his  face,  and  left  it  as  if  scarified.  The  garrison  con- 
sisted of  twenty  men  and  there  were  about  forty  of  the 
enemy. 

Thus,  sir,  we  fihd  that  Indian  treaties  do  not  secnrft 
our  country  from  the  depredations  of  the  savages  ;  our 
last  hope  now  is  that  the  President  of  the  United  States 
will,  ere  lon{>,  adopt  such  measures  as  will  prove  the 
efficiency  of  the  Federal  Government,  to  protect  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  however  remotely  situa- 
ted from  the  seat  of  government."  ""*  *T^^j  J 
■».:  '                      ■!            ■        ^^^^^        ■■■•  '^,ijh' **-'!^ ■■ '  %■<•  "''■f;';'  ■•■■ 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Isaac  Choat  to  a  friend  in 

Leice&ter,  dated, 

"  Detroitt  Feb.  3,  1790. 
*<  I  have  nothing  of  more  importance  to  write  than  an 
account  of  roy  misfortunes. — On  the  night  of  the  3d  of 
January  I  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  Delaware  In- 
dians, of  which  you  will  probably  hear  before  you  re. 
ceive  this ;  but  of  the  circumstances  of  my  capture  you 
may  wish  to  be  informed.  Francis  Choate,  myself 
and  two  others,  were  at  a  house  about  200  yards  above 
the  block  house,  which  the  savages  surrounded,  and 
took  us  all  alive  ;  and  i(fter  plundering  the  house,  bound 
ui  and  took  us  off.  They  then  went  to  the  block  house, 
fired  in  at  the  door,  and  killed  13  persons^— After  which 
they  proceeded  off  with  us  as  fast  as  they  could,  and 
travelled  36  days  before  we  arrived  at  their  towns,  which 


f:\;v 


mtu  on  the  97th  of  January.  On  the  39th  they  tent  lAe 
«•  a  present  to  (he  commanding  officer  of  thia  plac?^ 
Mrhere  I  arrived  this  dayi  and  have  been  well  received. 
They  are  abcut  to  clothe  me  decenily,  and  g'>vc  me  an 
allowance  of  provi»ionS|  until  the  river  breaks  up  in  the 
apring,  and  ti.en  I  am  to  be  sent  to  Montreal.  As  to 
Francis  Cuoatk,  he  was  given  to  a  Mingo  Indian, 
who  has  promised  to  bring  him  here  in  the  spring  ensu- 
ing ;  whether  he  will  or  not,  God  knows." 


'    CAPTIVITY  OF  MRS.  HERBESOBf. 

Mas'st  Herbeson,  on  her  oa'h  according  to  law,  be- 
ing taken  before  John  Wilkins,  Esq.  one  of  the  com^ 
monwtalth's  justices  of  the  peace,  in  and  lor  the  county 
of  Alleghany,  deposetb  and  saith,  that  on  the  23d  day  of 
February  1790,  she  >v.ta  taken  from  her  own  house  with- 
in 200  yards  of  Reed's  blnrk-house,  which  is  cslled  35 
miles  from  Pittsburgh  ;  her  husband  being  one  of  the 
spies,  was  from  heme ;    two  of  the  scouts   had  lodged 
with  her  that  nighr,  but  had  left  her  house  about  sun  rise 
in  order  to  go  to  the  block  house,  and  Stad  left  the  door 
standing  wide    open  ;  shortly  afier  the  two  scouts  went 
away,  a  number  of  Indians  cami:  into  the  house  and  drevr 
her  out  of  bed  by  her  feet,  the  two  eldest  children,  who 
also  lay  in  anuth-.    bed,  were  drawn  out  in  the  same  man- 
ner, a  jounger  childi  about  one  year  old,  slept  with  th« 
deponent ;  the  Indians  then  scr-^rnbled  about  the  articles 
in  the  house,  when  they  were  at  th  "^  woik  the  deponent 
went  out  of  the  house  and  hollowed  to  the  peot>le  in  the 
block  house  ;  one  of  the   Indians  then  ran  up  and  slop- 
ped her  mouth,  another  rpn  up  with  his  tontinawk  drnwoi 
and  a  third  ran  and  seized   the  tomahawk  und  called  her 
his  squaw }  this  last  Indian  claimed  her  as  his,  aiid  con- 
linaed  by  her ;  about  fifteen   of  th«   Indians  then  ratt 


:|!, 


M- 


-IP 


M 


urn 

m 

It    •' 

'lis 

;  ■  «  i   ■ 

^  ;!;'^ 
-.1 '  ■ 

,'»!'. 


M'  !? 


I  in 


doxin  towards  the  block-boase,  and  fired  their  gun%  atth* 
block  and  atore^house)  in  consequeiKc  of  which  one  &n). 
dier  was  killed  and  another  wounded,  one  having  be«n  a» 
the  spring,  and  the  other  in  doming  ^r  looking  out  of  th« 
storehouse;  the  deponent  then   toUii   the    Indians  theio 
were  about  forty  men  in  the  blck  hor,se  and  each  mm 
had  two  grnis,  the  Indians  then  went  to  them   hat  wer© 
liring  at  the  block  house   and  brougti^  ihtm  b;>ck,   (hey 
then  bcpari  lo  drive  the  deponent  end  her  rhildrtj!     vtay, 
but  a  bey  nbout  three  years  old  btinp-  unNvilling  to  Itavt- 
the  houu^^  lixy  look  it  by  the  iieels  and  dasl'^rd  it  ag  iist 
the  house,     hen   stabbed  and  scalped  it ;  they  then  look 
the  depotw  nt  and  the  Uvo  other  ( hildrcn  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  where  they  stopi  fJ   uv.til  they  tl  ,d  up  the  plunder 
they  had  got ;  while  they  wt-v  busy  ul>cut  ihis,  the  de- 
ponent counted  them,  and  \.'».-  jtiumbcr  amounted  to  thir- 
ty two,  including;  twi>  "white  men  that  were  with  them 
painted  like  the  Indians. 

That  several  of  the  Indians  could  speak  English,  and 
that  she  knew  thrse  or  four  of  them  very  well,  having  of- 
ten seen  them  go  up  and  down  the  Alleghany  river,  two 
of  ti>cm  she  knew  to  be  Seneccas,  and  two  Munsees,  who 
had  goC  their  guns  mended  by  her  husband  about  two 
years  ago-^that  they  sent  two  Indians  with  her,  and  the 
other  took  their  course  towards  Puckty*— that  she,  the 
children  and  the  two  Indiana  had  not  gone  above  two 
huni^red  yards,  jvhcn  the  Indians  caught  two  of  her  un- 
cle's Worses,  put  her  and  the  youngest  child  on  one,  and 
one  of  the  Indians  and  the  othrr  child  on  the  other— that 
the  two  Indians  then  took  her  and  the  children  to  the  Al- 
leghany river,  and  took  them  over  in  b&rk  canoes,  as  they 
could  not  get  the  horses  to  swim  the  rivtr— after  they 
had  cro:!*';d  the  river,  the  oldest  child,  a  boy  about  five 
years  of  age,  began  to  mourn  for  his  brother,  one  of  the 
liidiana  then  tomahawked  And  scalped  him ;  that  thej 


J ,» 


'M 


— i«— 


ar.d 
B  of- 
two 
who 
two 
the 
the 
two 
un- 
and 
that 
lAl- 
Lhey 
hej 
five 
the 
thej 


trATelled  til  day  rtry  hard,  and  that  night  arrived  at  a 
lar^i;   camp  covered  with  bark,  which  by  appearance, 
^t'ght  ho}d  fifty  men  ;  that  the  camp  appeared  to  have 
l>e*'n  occupied  acme  lime,  it  was  very  much  beaten  and 
^ni  v;?  beaten  paths  went  out  in  different  directions  from 
it  I    hat  night  tliey  took  her  about  three  hundred  yarda 
Oorn  the  camp  into  a  large  dark  bottom,  bound  her  armsi 
gave  her  some  bed  clothes,  and  lay  down  one  nn  each 
f'tde  of  her ;  that  the  next  morning  they  took  iter  into  a 
thicket  on  the  hill  side,  and  one  remained  with  her  till 
ihi  middle  of  the  day,  while  the  other  went  to  watch  ih3 
pu'.h,  least  some  while  people  should  follow  them,  they 
then  exchanged  places  during  the  remainder  of  the  djy, 
the  got  a  piece  of  dry  venison  about  the  bulk  of  an  egg 
that  day,  and  a  piece  about  the  same  size  the  day  they 
were  marching;  that  evening  (Wednesday  the  23d)  they 
moved  her  to  a  ne#  place,  and  secured  her  a::  the  night 
before  :  ddring  the  day  of  the  23d  she  made  teveral  at- 
tempts to  get  the  Indian's  gun  or  tomahawk  that  was 
guarding  her,  and  could  she  have  got  either,  she  would 
have  put  him  to  death,  she  was  nearly  detected  in  trying 
to  get  the  tomahawk  (torn  his  belt. 

The  next  morning  (Thursday)  one  of  the  Indians 
went  out  as  on  the  day  before  to  watch  the  path,  the  oth- 
er lay  down  and  fell  asleep,  when  she  found  he  was  sleep- 
tng  she  stele  her  short  gown,  handkerchief  and  a  chiid'a  .-, 
frock,  and  ther  made  her  escape~the  sun  was  thert  about  < ;     - 
half  an  hour  high— that  she  took  her  course  frarft-Vltfe^rJ; ;!.  • 
Alleghany,  in  order  to  deceive  the  Indians,  as  they  wowia-ivjsr^ig 
naturally  pursue  bar  that  way ;    that  day  she  truvelJed' 
along  Conequenessing  creek,  the  next  day  she  aliered  her 
course  and  as  »au  believes,  fell  upon  the  waters  of  Pine  * 
creek  which  empties  into  the  -Jleghanyj  tiunking  this 
not  her  best  course,  took  over  some  dividing  ridges,  fell 
in  on  the  heads  of  Squaw  run,  she  lay  on  fadividing  ridge 


•^ 


h 


■*■  '■-. 


:*■>•-. 


:  I 


—144— 


A  I     \ 


•n  Fridajr  nightt  and  on  Saturday  came  to  Squaw  nin, 
continued  duwn  the  run  until  an  Indian  or  tome  other 
person  nhot  at  a  deer ;  ahe  saw  the  person  about  150 
yards  Trom  her,  the  deer  running,  and  the  dog  pursuing 
it,  which,  from  the  appearance,  she  supposed  to  be  an  In- 
dian dog  ;  iihe  then  altered  her  course,  but  again  came 
to  the  same  run,  and  coniipued  down  it  until  she  got  bo 
tired  that  she  was  obliged  to  lie  down,  it  having  ramcd  on 
her  all  that 'day  and  the  niglit  before;  she  lay  there  that 
night,  ii  raint-d  coobtanily  ;  on  Sunday  morning  she  pro- 
ceeded down  the  run  until  bhe  camu  to  the  Alleghany  ri- 
rer,  and  continued  down  the  river  until  she  came  oppo- 
site to  Carter's  hoyse  on  the  inhabited  side,  where  she 
made  a  noise,  and  Jamxs  Closivr  brought  her  over  the 

river  to  Cartbb'i  hou^e* 

This  deponent  further  laysy  that    r<  c  nvcr?')  g  with 
pne  of* the  Indians  that  could  talk  £ng!'3i<  ''c<y  'irell,  he 
asked  her  if  she   I^new  the  prisoner  that  was  taken  by 
jErFEB9  and  his  Scneccasi  and  in  j^il  in  Pittsburgh  \  she 
answered  no— he  said  you  lie,  khe  again  said  she  knew 
nothing  about  him ;  he  said  she  did,  that  he  was  a  !>py, 
and  a  great  captain  ;  that  he  took  Buv.sr's  scalp,  and 
that  they  would  have  him   or  twenty  sca>«i;;  ;  he  again 
said  that  they  would  exchange   for  him ;  that  him  and 
two  more  were  sent  oi^t  to  see  what  the  Americans  were 
doing  ;  that  they  came  round  frcm  Detroit  to  Venango-* 
the  Indian  took  paper  and  shewed  her  that  he,  at  Fort 
Pitt,  could  write  and  draw  on  it ;  he  also  asked  her  if  a 
campaign  was  going  out  against  the  Indians  this  summer  » 
she  said  no— he  called  her  a  liar,  and  said  they  were  go- 
ing out,  and  that  the   Indians  would   serve  them  as  they 
did  last  year  ;  he  alt>o  said  the  English  have  guns,  ammu- 
nition, See.  to  gi^e  them  to  go  to  war,  and  that  they  had 
jgiven  theni  plenty  last  year  ;  this  deponent  also  says,  that 
she  saw  oue  of  the  Indians  have  Captain  Can's  sword> 


were 
ngo— 
Fort 
r  if  a 


— It5» 

which  she  well  knew  ;  that  one  of  the  Indian«  ttked  her 
if  she  knew  Thomas  Gi'itt,  she  said  ah*  did^he  then 
Mid  tha'  GiHTT  livfd  r^ar  Fort  Pitt,  iha'  he  was  a  (good 
man  but  not  as  (;ood  as  his  brother  at  Detroit,  but  that 
his  wife  was  a  bad  wumani  she  tells  lies  onv  the  Indians, 
and  is  a  friend  tu  America*  Sworn  before  me  the  da/ 
and  year  above  wnuen.  > 

JOHN  WILKINS. 


Copy  of  8.  letter  from   Capt.  Johm  Roskrs,  to   his    Ex- 
cellency Henry  Lke,  blsquire,   dated 

"  District  of  Mora ^  April  1,  1790. 
"  Dear  Sir, 
*»  When  I  got  into  the  Holstein  country,  I  found  I 
was  in  time  to  accompany  governor  Uloukt  to  the  trea- 
ty in  this  diiktrict  :  I  pushed  for  Knoxviile,  the  territori- 
al seat  of  governmtnt,  which  place  I  reached  the  4th 
of  July,  and  set  out  for  this  the  next  morning,  with  the 
governor  and  general  Pickiks,  attended  by  eighty  cav- 
aliVi  raised  for  tiiree  months  dmy,  for  the  protec.ion  of 
this  distiict.  A  pa:ty  of  fifty  infantry,  many  families, 
and  other  persouh,  on  their  way  to  this  country,  was  fir- 
ed on  by  a  pirty  of  Indians  concealed  in  a  cane  jrake, 
on  the  lOili  July,  about  twenty  mil.'s  a  head  of  us,  and 
iifiet;n  from  ;he  settlemcrrt,  which  they  rev  ned  thu 
same  day  ;  upon  the  soldiers  pressing  forwaid  they  re- 
treated, without  doing  uny  damage  :  We  got  into  the 
frontiers  of  this  dit^trict  the  next  day,  and  learnt  ihat 
one  Zkioleh's  station,  at  two  miles  distance  from  us, 
had  been  taken  by  the  savages.  On  the  night  ef  the 
36th  Jctnuaiy,  a  man  had  been  kilUd  in  the  fi.ld,  and  a 
negro  girl  tomahawked  and  scalped.  Thai  day  a  party 
of  three  men  *vcn*  to  take  in  the  body  of  the  dead  man 
which  luy  wiihin  fify  yards  of  a  fence,  behind  which  the 
Indians  weie  still  codcealed}  who  fired    t^on   the   ment 


i   I: 


11, 


'M  ^  d. 


*^'  I. 


— IC6— 


and  wounded  them  all,  tbtf  however  made  their  eicapt 
to  \  house,  w^ere  they  were  closely  pursued  by  the   In> 
dians,  who,  after  succeeding   in   (fctiii  %  poatession   of 
their  gutii  and  in  killing  their  homes,  disappesrcd.    Mor« 
of  the  neighbours  assembled  ir.  the  evening,  and  carried 
in  the  dead  man,  after  wlii.ii  they   returned  to  their  re- 
spective homes,  beinf;  all  alarmed  for  the  safeiy  of  their 
families,  leaving  at  Z.ioler's  only  two  men  besie';  the 
three  wounded  above  mentioned.    The  Iniliani  rduioeJ 
in  the  night,    attacked  the   station,  and   found  that  alt 
the  pcvnle  had  asscnbled  in  one  house,    to  the   number 
of  twenty  '>ne  D.'racas,  men,  women,  and  children  ;  the 
Indians  then  set  fire  to  the  adjacent  houses,  vrhich   soon 
communicatcf'  ihe  flames  to  the  one  in  which  the  people 
were,  and  quick'y  reduced  them  to  the  drcsdful  dilem- 
ma of  perishing  by  the  flames,  or  quitting  the  house 
and  submittmg  themseltes  to  the  tomahawk  of  a  savage 
enemy— they  chose  the  latter^— the  three  wounded  men 
escaped,  as  uid  Mrs.  Zbiglkr,  with   an  infant  in   her 
arms  ;  a  Mr.  Wilson  was  wounded   in  the   breast   on 
opening   the  door,  he  however  followed  his  wife  and 
six  children  until  overtaken  by  a  party  of  Indians,  he 
then  bid  them  farewell,  fired  at  the  Indians  and  escap- 
ed ;  hla  wife  and  children  were   tak'?n  prisoners-— Mr* 
Zeiglkr  was  supposed  to  have  perished  in  the  flames  { 
a  young  r.ian  was  tomahawked  near  the  house  and   a 
negro  wenrh  killed  on  their  retreat— among  the  ashes  of 
the  consumed  dwelling  were  found  the  bones  of  such  at 
perished  in  the  flames.  .    -  ..,kvA  ,  i;  w.        .*>^ 

This  countiy  U  in  a  deplorable  situation  ;  detached 
from  the  great  body  of  the  union ;  the  inhabitants  very 
dispersed  ;  almost  every  part  of  it  a  frontier  ;  so  that 
few  are  safe  in  their  beds— the  lands  in  .  measure  lie 
fallow,  or  are  tilled  with  the  plough  m  one  hand  and  a 
rifle  in  tb"  other  !    Many  fields  which   have  been  tilled 


^\ 


:hed 
|very 

that 
lie 
id  a 
lilled 


in  this  manner,  are  now  deserted)  and  fine  growing 
crops  left  to  be  destroyed  by  such  stock  as  were  una- 
voidably left  about  the  deserted  plantations  ;  and  almost 
every  day  is  distinguished  by  savage  murders  and  oth- 
er depredations. 

I  have  procured  an  accurate  list  >r  the  killed,  wound- 
ed and  missing,  since  January  1789,  which  I  enclose 
you  for  inspection ;  which  I  believe  will  be  found  lo  be 
more  than  has  bcrn  lost  since  that  time,  upon  ail  the 
frontiers  ot  the  nnion  beside.  Yet  it  is  said  in  the  At- 
lantic states,  thai  there  is  peace  with  the  Creeks— peace 
with  them,  is  only  another  name  for  war  as  to  this  dis- 
trict. 

I  have  received  information  from  Kentucky  that  John 
Bbhklt  and  his  son  were  a  short  time  since  attacked  by 
a  party  of  Indians  in  their  orchard.  The  former  was 
wounded,  but  bravely  returned  the  fire,  and  killed  an 
Indian  in  the  act  of  scalping  his  son* 

On  the  succeeding  night  the  same  party  opened  the 
alsales  i  f  James  Douglass,  and  took  twelve  horsea 
tbe-efro.:) ;  the  next  day  a  party  of  whites  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Samubl  Wilsov,  lell  in  with  them 
wounded  one,  put  the  party  to  flight,  and  regained  the 
horses.  A  short  time  after  the  Creeks  killed  and  scalp- 
ed a  Mr.  Ramsey,  an  old  resident  among  the  Chero. 
kees,  declaring  it  was  their  orders  and  determination  to 
kill  the  Virginians  wherever  they  found  them." 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  an  oflicer  in  the  service  of  theUni. 

ted  States  to  his  friend  in  New- York,  dated, 

vv.    f  *  :    f  >,        u  Buffahe  CreeAf  April  19,  1790. 

"  I  left  Fort  Franklin  the  3d  instant,  and  arrived  here 
the  11th  in  the  evening,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Winnet, 
who  informs  me  thai  upwards  of  four  thousand  hostile  In- 
dians were  now  assembled  at  the  Miami  villages)  and  that 


It*  V    . 


—  168— 


their  number  was  dailf  increasing;— Captain  Powit  and 
•evcral  other  f^entlemen  of  the  British  arnijr  dined  with 
me  yesteidajr,  und  fionn  their  conversation  I  ann  perfectlf 
convinced  thnt  the  Iruiians  ere  supported  by  the  British  in 
the  vtr<<r  against  us— iixiccd,  Captain  PowsLtold  me,  that 
all  the  intentions  uf  the  Indians  was  well  known  to  them* 
and  the  Indians  were  their  allies,  and  of  courHc  they  must 
!^upport  them — he  also  intormed  me  that  ten  scouts  of 
hostile  Indians  were  then  out  to  sir'ke  on  the  Trontieri, 
and  that  they  would  soon  strike  the  Six  Nations*  Soma 
of  thechiefti  of  the  hostile  Indians  pasved  here  about  five 
days  ago  on  thtir  way  to  Canada,  but  what  their  busineit 
it  I  cannot  learn." 

By  a  person  who  left  head-quarters  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton the  llth  ult.  and  arrived  here  on  Wednesday  last, 
we  are  informed  that  Col.  Hardrn,  Maj.  Trurman,  and 
two  others,  were  killed  by  the  Indians  a  short  distance 
from  Fort  Jefferson,  on  their  way  to  the  Indian  towns  to 
invite  them  to  a  treaty  :  This  information  was  brought  to 
heiid  quarters  by  a  party  of  men  and  an  Indian  from  Post 
Vincent,  two  days  before  our  informant  left  It :  We  alno 
understand,  that  accounts  have  been  received  in  this  town 
from  BufTitloe  creek,  by  the  way  of  Fort  Franklin,  con- 
taining  information  similar  to  the  above.  [We  most  sin- 
cerely lament  the  loss  of  such  valuable  men  as  Col.  Har- 
9EM  and  Major  Trueman  ;  and  would  suggest  the  pro- 
priety of  sending  those  members  of  Congress,  who  pro- 
posed and  so  strenuously  supported  pacific  measures  to  be 
adopted  with  the  Indian  nations,  at  this  time,  with  the 
next  message  or  invitation  for  a  treaty.] 

The  report  respecting  Gen.  Putnam  being  killed,  ii 
without  foundation. 

We  are  further  informed,  that  a  sergeant,  corporal,' 
and  twelve  men  were  lately  killed  near  Fort  Jefier»on  by 
•  party  of  Indians.  r.,:  >   ;.  .  "'    / 


w^ 


bopf  oft  letter  from  Fort  Watbington,  Fcbmarj  IOth# 

1790. 
**  On  Tue«da7  tnorning  the  6th  inkt.  Major  AoAi^i 
with   ISO  mounted   volunteers  from  Kentucky,   having 
charge  of  a  large  number  of  ^/ack  hortea  laden  with  pro- 
tiaiona,  deatined  for  the  advanced  post»,  waa  most  daring- 
ly attacked  by  nearly  an  equal  party  of  Indian!,  although 
under  cover  of  Fort  St.  Clair— notwithstanding  whichi 
and  that  our  people  fought  desperately,  the  Indian-,  drove 
then  into  the  fort,  and  carried  off  all  the  provisions  and 
horsea  (both  pack  and  cavalry)  save  about  twenty  killed 
and  four  woundrdi  and  stn'pptd  the  camp  of  every  thing ; 
carrying  the  whole  off  with  most  audacioua  insult  and 
triumpht    But  aa  soon  as  the  party  were  re*aupplitd  with 
ammunition  from  the  garrison,  they  sallied  forth  near  m 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  enemy  ;  but  too  late  to  re- 
cover the  booty  which  the  Indians  had  made.    The  cour- 
age and  daring  spirit  of  thtse  people  were  panicularlf 
conspicuous  on  this  occasion,  as  they  fought  almost  un- 
der the  guns  of  the  Fort.    Our  loss  was  one  captain  and  « 
ten   privates  killed,   and  some  Wounded,   besidea  borsetf 
and  provisions  estimated  at  fifteen  ihousand  dollars.  Two 
of  the  enemy  it  is  said  have  been  found  dead.     If  these 
Indians  had  wi  iters  among  thtm,  what  honorable  testimo- 
ny and  eulogy   might  they  not  give  of  the  noble  bpirit 
and  heroic  bravery  of  the  hative  American   character, 
rather  than  dc])reciate  it  as  the  Europeans  do.     Two  of 
our  men  have  lately  made  their  escape  fiom  the  Miami 
villagea  and  arrived  here— they  give  account  of  a  mock 
fight  lately  exhibited  to  amuse  the  numeioua  Indians  as- 
sembled there,  and  to  divert  their  squaws  and  children.-— 
It  was  in  ridicule  of  Major-General  Clakkk's  disposi- 
tion of  his  troops  on  the  fourth  of  November  1789,  and 
of  his  flight  before  the  Indians,  who  pursued  him  and 
hit  array  whilst  the  other  plundered  hit  camp ;  they  have 
W  .  «. 


■,«i'. 


I 


*>■ 


t 


i  !»'■;!   1 


liii. 


hvf,: 


'^■if 


i'.! 


— .170— 

gifen  ont  (hat  llity  mean  to  celebrate  this  tTcnt  annually, 
by  a  like  sham  fight  and  a  great  dance  to  be  called  Cen. 
Glabke's  fight  and  dance.  It  is  to  be  hoped  wf  shall  yet 
have  an  oppc~' ..uty  to  retaliate,  and  to  teach  our  enemy 
to  amuse  themselTea  at  our  expense  in  a  Ies«  ludicrous 
manner.  It  seems  Gen.  Clakkk's  field  of  action  vras 
on  a  branch  of  the  Wabash,  twenty  four  leagues  (instead 
of  fittcen  miles)  from  the  Miami  towns  which  are  now 
inhabited  by  the  hostile  Indians  ;  and  that  Gen.  Clarke's 
course  from  Fort  Washington,  was  by  mistake,  greatly 
too  far  to  the  west. 

<(  A  letter  from  a  correspondent,  on  whose  veracity  wo 
can  rely,  in  the  territory  of  the  United  States  south  of 
the  river  Ohio>  dated'the  17lh  ult.  states,  that  every  thing 
wears  a  gloomy  aspect  on  the   western   frontiers ;  that 
about  the  last  of  December,  the  Cherokees  sent  in  peace 
talkers  to  Governor  Blouvt,  which  were  only  intended  to 
facilitate  the  commission  of  further  depredations  by  them) 
when  the  guards  from  our  out-posts  were  withdrawn . 
that  from  the  Uth  to  the  SCth  of  January,  the  Indians 
killed  vti\\  wounded  19  persons  in  Cumberland,  among 
whom  was  Ewin  Shelbt,  brother  to  the  Governor  of 
Kentucky  \  that  four  of  the  Chickamogga  towns  and  the 
upper  Creeks  have  declared  war ;  that  the  Creeks  had 
killed  a  family  in  the  county  of  George ;  that  the  barbar- 
ity exerciaed  by  t^iem  in  this  massacre,  was  enough  to 
make  human  nature  shudder  at  the  bare  recital.— They 
butchered  them  like  so  many  dogs,  caught  their  blood  and 
bowels,  expos'fd  them  to  view,  and  then  gave  the  whole 
to  a  tame  bear  to  devour ;  that  the  Cherokees  bad  killed 
two  Creeks,  wounded  several,  snd  taken  two  prisoners ; 
that  the  Creeks  threaten  to  retaliate,  and  cut  them  all  off; 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  territory  are  waiting  with  im- 
patience for  the  general  government  to  aifoid  them  suc- 
cour and  protection  ;  that  treatiea  with  the  savages  wUl 


\: 


'^^ 


•frtfU  ffotblnff,  Ml  what  promiiet  ihtf  fttafce  tb'dty,  thej 
«HII  not  htsitite  to  brMk  to>ma(rro# ;  that  a  party  of  the 
«nemy  were  known  to  M  on  the  frontier,  ki  the  time  of 
«ur  correspondents  wHtin|f  these  particulars*  and  that  h« 
«xpected  every  moment  to  hear  of  some  murders  being 
itOmmitted  by  ihefta. 

"  When  will  government  afford  protection  to  the  de- 
fenceless inhabitants  on  the  frontiersk** 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  5onth*Carolina  to  a 
friend  in  New- York,  dated, 

'^  Charleston,  April  6t  \790: 

<<  An  etpress  arrived  from  Gen.  Pickbns  and  Colonel 
AffPsasoN,  which  brings  advices  to  the  Governor,  stating 
Chat  a  general  Indian  war  on  the  Western  frontiers  of  the 
touthern  states  seem  inevitable ;  that  by  intelligence  from 
tht  country  of  the  Creeks,  all  the  tribes  except  the  Cus- 
satawB  are  determined  for  war  ;  urged  by  Galpbin,  the 
iticcessor  of  M'Gillitray  ;  and  that  they  have  already 
commenced  hostilities  within  the  Carolina  line,  a  party  of 
them  having  killed  and  scalped  a  man  on  Tugaloo.  We 
hear  his  axcellency  has  ordered  one  third  of  the  militia 
in  the  upper  districlii  to  be  drafted,  and  held  in  readiness 
for  immediate  service,  should  the  savages  make  further 
(iepredatioQB  on  the  frontiers. 

"  Yesterday  evening  a  gentleman  arrived  here  from 
Augusta,  in  Georgia,  who  informs  us,  that  six  of  the 
Creek  towns,  with  a  number  of  Cherokees,  had  declared 
war  against  the  United  States,  and  were  actually  march- 
ing under  the  command  of  Bowlxs  and  Galfhin  ;o  at- 
tack the  frontiers* 

On  the  23d  ult.  the  Indians,  S7  in  number,  came  to  the 
house  of  a  Mr.  Richard  Tbresheb,  in  Augusta,  and 
fired  upon  and  killed  Mr.  Thresuxr,  two  children  and 
a  uegro  v^>;iman  ;  Mrs.  Tsrxshxr,  to  avoid  if  po^bible 


4, 


fVtm^' 


it 


•.!.l*^ 


^. 


i 

I  it  -.1 ; 
r  '■  ■ 


m 


li'l 


::h  ,1, 


m'- 


the  fate  with  which  fthe  w«t  threatened,  fled  with  tn  iitt 
fant  of  about  five  or  six  weeki  ol4  in  her  armii  and  leapr 
ed  into  the  river ;  ihe  Indians  pursued,  shot  her  through 
each  thigh  and  right  breast,  stabbed  her  in  the  left  breast 
with  a  knife,  cut  her  left  arm  nearly  ui,  and  then  scalped 
her.  In  this  horrid  situation  she  remained  umil  tha 
fteighbors  cnuM  assemble  in  sufficient  numbera  lo  cross 
the  river  and  pursue  the  Indians.  As  the  first  canoe  vras 
crossing  '^he  had  strength  enough  to  call  for  assistance, 
they  went,  found  her  hanging  by  a  busli  in  water  nearly 
up  to  her  chin,  her  infant  at  the  bottom  of  the  river,  ^ 
few  yards  from  her.  She  lived  24  hours,  and  when  in« 
formed  by  her  physician  that  it  was  impossible  for  her  to 
aurvive  much  longer,  she  with  a.  fortitude  that  is  rarely 
tp  be  met  with,  called  her  friends  around  her,  and  in  a 
calm  but  pathetic  manner,  gave  hjer  hand  to  each  one^^ 
wishing  them  a  better  fate  than  hftd  'qefalicn  hertielf  and 
family  f  and  when  aft^r  her  speech  failed,  as  neighbors 
were  constantly  coining  in,  she  continued  to  give  her 
hand  until  about  five  minutes  before  she  resigned  her 
breath,  which  was  withuat  a  groan* 

*'  Mrs.  Tbheshrr  was  about  twenty  five  yeais  of  age, 
of  a  respectable  family  and  elegant  person,  and  possessed 
an  uncon>mon  educalioh. 

"  On  Thurbday  the24tli  two  men  were  killed  in  Frank- 
lin, and  40  horses  carcied  off;  and  since  the  accounts 
above  lectived,  all  the  inhabitants  on  the  frontiers 
have  rt  reaied  into  forts,  without  arms  or  anamunition.-r 
At  one  meeting  uf  near  40  per&ons  ihty  could  only  mus- 
ter five  old  inu^ket3  ;  o  heighten  the  horror  of  their  coil- 
diiioii,  the  Indians  were  momently  txpccttd. 

"  As  simihr  murders  are  daily  commiutd,  it  called  up 
the  frj.irit  of  800  galiant  foilowsi,  who  marched  last  week 
against  the  savages,  determimd  to  revenge  the  cruelliqy 
perpetrated  on  the  infant,  the  mother,  and  the  defenceless. 


>%.*t 


m. 


m- 


(*  To  tee  the  country  tU  in  fortf ,  breaking  ap,  leaving 
their  farm-tt  (heir  bouaea  and  com  burnt  up,  is  truljr  dia* 
Iresaing.  At  ibia  time  nearly  half  the  country  are  in  forts* 

**  Captain  Kbmton  with  about  34  men,  who  went  up 
the  Oh.o  in  order  to  intercept  the  Indians  who  took  Mor* 
gall's  station,  fell  in  with  a  trail  of  a  party  of  Indians  on 
the  Waters  of  Paint  Creek,  coming  in  to  the  settlement. 
He  followed  them,  and  at  night  observing  he  wab  near 
them,  sent  forward  bon»e  spies  to  discover  ihtir  fires  ;  un- 
luckily the  spies  fell  in  with  their  camp,  and  before  they 
diitcovcred  it  the  Indians  were  alarihed  by  a  d<g  who 
flew  out  at  the  spies ;  upon  which  the  Indians  fiied  on 
them  ;  the  spies  returned  the  fire  ;  upon  hearing  the  fir- 
ing the  whole  of  the  party  came  up,  and  the  Indians  re- 
treated, leaving  their  baggage,  amongst  which  was  a 
quantity  of  powder,  lead,  and  blankets.  Kenton  had 
one  man  killed.  It  is  supposed  two  Indians  were  killed 
and  carried  off,  firon  some  discoveries  that  were  made 
next  morning. 

«  On  Saturday  last,  the  Indians  killed  two  men  on  tbp 
rolling-fork  of  Salt  river,  and  tomahawked  and  scalped 
another,  who  was  alive  on  Thursday  last.  Same  day  kil- 
led a  man  in  Harden'*  seitlenient, 

"  A  few  days  ago  the  Indians  took  a  boat  r.ear  Louir- 
vitle  and  the  mouth  of  Salt-River,  bound  to  Cumberland  ; 
there  were  three  men  on  board,  who  made  their  escape 
by  leaving  the  boat  and  swiming  ashore. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from   a   gentlemen    in    the    service   of 
Major  General  Skvikp,  tr  a  friend  io  Richmond,   da- 
ted "iTfioaei//*,  May  4,  1790. 
"  Sir, 
"  I  embrace  this   opportunity    of  informing   you    of 
tbe  aft'airs  us  they  now  siund  in  this  country  : — We  have 
been  in  a  stale  of  warfare  with    the  southern   tribes  of 


••^*/ 


•  -* 


i»... 


m') 


^1 


If 


\  , 


I  'V 


i 
■f  1 


rl 


t« 


/  *  '.  • 

fndians  for  upwards  of  twelve  motithi  plil ;  itn^  tdui^ 
tion,  bjr  order  of  the  genera)  government,  is  onlf  to  act 
«n  the  defeniive ;  the  enemy's  making   frequent   incur- 
fions  into  our  couutry,  determined  tome  of  our   people 
to  retaliAte  in  turn,  and  by  this  partial  kind   of  warfare» 
thcf  formed   a   more    general  expedition  against  this 
Gountrj— -about  1200  of  them  came  within  a  few  miles 
cf  tliis  plao:  a  ehort  time  since,  supposed  with  an  inten> 
tion  of  atta:king  our  metropolis,  though  they  made   an 
attack  only  ou  our  block  house,  which   they  burned  and 
killed  uvery  person  therein)  consisting  of  SI  men,  and 
before  a  force  could  be  collected    to  oppose   them,  they 
fied  to  their  own  country.    A  company  of  600  mounted 
infantry  gathered  immediatelyi  commanded  by   General 
Sevier,  and  followed  them  upwards  of  150  miles  in* 
to  their  own  country,  burning  and  destroying  all  before 
us,  without  any  opposition,   until  we  had  committed  T 
of  their  towns  to  ruin,  we  at  length   arrived   at   a  very 
large  town  near  the  Creek  nation,  where  we  killed  sev- 
eral and  took  fivje  prisoners*    W«  were  fired  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  by  a  party  sf  them,  and  had  three  of 
our  men  wounded   and   three   horses   killed :  being   fa- 
tigued, and  provisions  plenty,  we  remained  there   three 
tlays,  each  night  of  which  we  were  fired  on  by  the  en«' 
my^  but  received  no  damage. 

From  thence  we  pursued  our  route  to  within  8  miles 
of  a  large  town,  in  the  Creek  nation,  where  at  a  cros- 
sing place  of  a  river,  almos!  impassable  with  horses,  the 
enemy  had  collected  in  a  large  body,  and  entrenched 
themselves  where  we  had  to  pass,  but  fortunately  for  us, 
our  pilot  took  a  wrong  path  which  led  to  a  town  about 
half  u  mile  lower  down  the  river,  but  on  the  opposite 
side  to  us  ;  we  could  not  cross  there  with  our  horses, 
and  had  to  return  to  the  ford,  where  the  Indians  had 
throwu  up  en'.rencbnients ;  the  enemjr^   however,   see- 


¥ 


«  i 


1' 


■^ 


— Iff— 


Ihg  n  pau  tb«  irtt  ford,  left  their  poitf  and  ran  6<^ 
\S>  oppose  us  at  the  towHi  and  before  they  coulri  rllttiT^ 
to  their  eotrenchmcnte,  our  people  hac  cro^xd  the 
«>r  when  a  ytry  heavy  fire  commenced,  which  lasted 
bout  fifteen  miuutcs,  when  iho  eneray  retreated,  com* 
pletely  defeated;  leaving  behind  them  several  killedi 
and  the  appearance  of  a  great  many  wounded.  The 
loss  we  sustained  was  very  trifling,  only  8  men  killed. 

Accounts  from  the  N.W.  side  of  the  Ohio,  state, 
that  the  Indians  are  very  troublesome  in  the  n';:ighbour- 
hood  of  Columbia.  It  is  reported  that  two  boys  were 
taken  prisoners  a  short  time  since  by  the  savages,  who, 
after  emasculation,  were  set  at  liberty,  in  which  situa- 
tion Ihey  returned  home.  This  opens  a  new  scene  cf 
Indian  barbarity,  unheard  of  before  I" 


«•*- 


CONCLUSION. 

INNUMERABLE  were  the  instances  of  Savage 
barbarity  exercised  toward  the  defenceless  inhabitants  cf 
the  frontiers,  from  the  year  17S3  to  that  of  1 79 1— we 
have  recofded  but  a  small  numb«r  of  them,  but  a  nnm- 
bev  suflS*^'enily  large,  we  presume,  to  convince  the  reader 
of  their  euormity — not  until  those  unfortunate  people  had 
repeatedly  solicited  the  aid  of  Govevnmert,  did  the  lat. 
ter  consen'.  to  take  up  arms  for  the  protect'oh  of  their 
defenceless  brethren  ;— when  every  pacific  measure  fail- 
ed— when  every  proposal  of  peace,  however  jrot  &nd  e- 
suitable,  was  rejected  and  treated  with  disdain— humani- 
ty dictated  that  recourse  should  be  hnd  to  more  encctual 
measures  to  pa  stop  to  the  murderous  career  of  an 
unnatural  enemy.— -Hence  the  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities by  the  Americans,  and  hence  the  expeditions  of 
Cieaerals  Harvsr,  Scott,  Wilkinson,  St.  Clair  and 


fl- 


'■•  if: 


IPi 


''k 


IV, 


rill.— And  althorgh  the  former  vai  defeated  HAik 
|be  glorious  victorf  of  the  latter  brought  aboil, 
lesir&blc  event— the  enemjr  were  taught  therebf 
superiority  of  the  whites,  even  in  their  favorite 
mode  of  warfare— >the]r  buried  the  hatchet  oud  sued  for 
peace,  and  a  Treaty  (satisfactory  to  both  parties)  tooD 
followed,,  to  the  articles  cf  which,  they  have  eter  since 
and  continue  faithfully  to  adhere* 

The  following  list  of  names  of  the  various  Indian  na- 
>^I  r/.  in  NorihMAmerica,in  1794,  with  the  number  of  their 
fighting  men,  was  obtained  by  a  gentleman  employed  in 
tht  jbove  mentioned  Treaty; 

The  Chor.tu^vs  or  Flatheads4S00,  Natches  150,  Chick- 
'isnvfi  750,  Cberokees  2500,  Caiahas  150,  Piantas  a  wan- 
c!e<-ing  tribe  800,  Kissquoresquas  600,  liankashaws  350» 
C^^htenons  400,  Kikapous  Sno.  Shawnese  300,  Dsla- 
ware3  300,  M-amies  305,  tJpper  Creeks,  Middle  Creeks} 
Lower  Creeks,  4000,  Cowiias  700,  Alibomas  600,  Akin- 
saws  2000,  Ansaus  lOCO,  Padomas  500,  White  and  freck- 
led Pinai  4000,  Canses  1600,  Osays  600.  Grand  CauJt 
1000,  Missouri  3G00,  Soux  of  the  Wood  1800,  Blancei 
or  white  Indians  with  beard  1500,  Asinboiis  1500,  Chris- 
tian Cauz  3000,  Ouiscousas  500,  Mascoiins  500,  Lakes 
400,  Muherouakes  250,  Folle  Avoine  or  Wildoat  Indiana 
350,  Puans  700,  Powaiamig  350,  Missasagues,  wander- 
in?*  tribes  2000,  Olabas  9C0,  Chipawas  5000,  Wiaudots 
300,  Six  Naiions  1500,  Round  Heads  3500,  Algnqoins 
Sooo,  Nepisians  400,  Chalas  130,  Amite»ies  550,  Muck* 
niacks  700,  Abinaguis  350,  Conaway,  Huiuas  2J0.'^ 
TotaF  58780.    ^r.^^n      .;>::>  t/ii^ 


i-v 


FINIS, 


S5iT-  W! 


'Si'J^i  ' 


"tSiti 


■;'*■^ 


Hf  (■ 


■.'H)i.  is 


■*M- 


-fr^ 


*0, 


! 


^  ^  ''    (    <7 


1  ^li 

berebf' 
hvorite 
Bed  for 
i)  iooii 
it  •ince 

Jitn  na- 
of  their 
loyed  iQ 


,  Chick- 
s  a  wan- 
ws  350) 
0,  Dela" 
:  Creekst 
10,  Akin- 
ltd  frcck- 
ind  Caux 
,  Blancea 
lO,  Chris- 
0,  Lakes 
tt  Indiana 
wander- 
Wtaadota 
Mgcqaina 
0,  Muck" 
IS  2^0.— 


